The Executive Office of the Governor and Governor Ron DeSantis appealed a ruling holding them accountable for delays in responding to a public records request from the Florida Center for Government Accountability. Facing two voluminous requests during a Category 4 storm’s approach in September 2022, the Office partially complied by October 7. The Center argued this wasn’t good faith, citing ample prior notice. A circuit court found the Office violated Florida’s Public Records Law (§ 119.07, Fla. Stat.), ordering full disclosure. On appeal, the First District Court reversed in part, agreeing the Office must provide public records but noting the Center didn’t prove all requested items (e.g., two weeks of emails and calls) were public, not private. Given the storm and scope, the Court deemed the one-week production timeline unreasonable.
The opinion is found here: https://1dca.flcourts.gov/content/download/2447544/opinion/Opinion_2022-3507.pdf