Florida's Government in the Sunshine Law

Florida is nationally renowned for putting a very high priority on the public's right of access to all governmental meetings and records. In fact, the principles of open government are embodied in and guaranteed by the state Constitution.

Article I, 24 (b) of the Florida Constitution states:
All meetings of...any collegial public body of a county...at which official acts are to be taken or at which public business of such body is to be transacted or discussed, shall be open and noticed...

Section 286.011, Florida State Statutes spells out in detail how meetings must be conducted, notices and minutes, and how exemptions apply to attorney-client sessions and labor union negotiations.

Martin County's meetings are open to the public. The notices of meetings appear regularly in the Stuart News, on the County's website, and on the bulletin boards in the County Administrative Center. All meetings are conducted in public buildings and some, such as those of the Board of County Commissioners, are televised on MCTV (Channel 20).

Florida voters have overwhelmingly shown their support for government in the sunshine at all levels of government. They have made it clear they believe that open government provides the best assurance of government that is responsive and responsible to the needs of the people.

To learn more about Florida's Government in the Sunshine Law, please visit the Office of Florida's Attorney General for more resources. Visit website