Lobbyists

⚠️Submissions for 2026–2027 accepted now

Lobbyist Identification Requirement

All lobbyists must identify themselves as lobbyists, disclose the principal they represent, and state the subject matter or purpose of the communication at the beginning of any lobbying communication with the School Board, School Board Members, Superintendent, Board committees, Board administrative assistants, Office of General Counsel, or District employees.

Continuing Duty to Update Information

Lobbyists and principals have a continuing duty to ensure that all information submitted to the District is accurate and complete. Any change to the lobbyist’s information, principal represented, subject matter, business association, eligibility status, or other material information must be promptly reported to the Office of the Chief of Staff via the Department of Legislative Affairs.

Ethics, Conflicts, and Nepotism

Lobbyists and principals must comply with all applicable ethics, conflict-of-interest, and nepotism requirements under School Board policy and Florida law, including applicable provisions of Chapter 112, Florida Statutes. No lobbyist or principal may seek, request, or facilitate any action that would result in a prohibited conflict of interest, misuse of public position, unauthorized compensation, or prohibited employment or appointment of a relative. Chapter 112 includes ethics standards for public officers and employees, including restrictions on gifts, unauthorized compensation, misuse of public position, conflicting employment or contractual relationships, and employment of relatives.

Cone of Silence

During any applicable cone of silence, lobbyists, principals, vendors, proposers, bidders, and their representatives are prohibited from communicating about a competitive solicitation with School Board Members, the Superintendent, evaluation committee members, or District employees, except as expressly permitted in the solicitation documents or applicable School Board policy.

Vendor Eligibility and Debarment

No lobbyist may register on behalf of, or lobby for, a principal, vendor, proposer, or related entity that is suspended, debarred, declared in default, proposed for debarment, voluntarily excluded, or otherwise ineligible to do business with the District, unless disclosed in writing and permitted by applicable law and School Board policy.

Violations and Registration Status

Any false, incomplete, or misleading information, failure to timely update registration information, failure to properly identify the lobbyist or principal, violation of the cone of silence, or other violation of School Board policy may be grounds for discipline. Discipline may include warning, reprimand, suspension, cancellation or non-renewal of registration, prohibition from lobbying or appearing before the School Board or District decision-making bodies, disqualification of a proposal, voiding of a contract, vendor ineligibility, or any other remedy available to the School Board. Policy 1940 authorizes the Board to warn, reprimand, suspend, or prohibit violators from appearing before SBBC or related decision-making bodies for up to two years.

LOBBYIST DEFINITION

A “lobbyist” is defined as any individual, firm, corporation, or other business entity who engages in lobbying for the economic gain of a principal, regardless of whether the person is compensated for lobbying or not. The term “lobbyist” specifically includes the principal of a lobbyist, as well as any agent, officer, or employee of a principal regardless of whether or not the person's normal responsibilities or scope of employment includes lobbying activities.

The following individuals must register as lobbyists: (1) a principal of a corporation if they are lobbying; (2) an employee of the principal who lobbies; (3) sales representatives who appear before the Board or District staff to encourage purchase of a product are seeking approval of new products and services; (4) attorneys meeting with District personnel during the procurement process, unless the communication is strictly limited to legal matters and not intended to influence the decision.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES

Lobbyists must disclose any business association with any current School Board member or SBBC employee or any immediate family of the School Board member or SBBC employee.

Senior-level SBBC employees (with a pay grade 30 and above) and School Board members are prohibited from lobbying activities for two (2) years after their employment or term of office has been severed or concluded.

A lobbying contact report form will be completed and signed by a School Board member for any occasion of lobbying activity that has occurred between the School Board member and an individual lobbyist, or the principal or employer of a lobbyist. These forms are subject to public inspection.

Download: School Board Policy No. 1940 - Lobbyist Activities for Economic Gain

REQUIREMENTS