Palm Beach Town Council members agreed Tuesday to individually join a lawsuit against a new Florida financial disclosure law that has already led to the resignation of more than 100 elected officials across the state.
The council had already voted 5-0 at its Jan. 9 meeting for the town to join the lawsuit. But Town Attorney Joanne O’Connor told the members Tuesday that it was the final day for them to join the lawsuit individually before it is filed, something O’Connor expects soon.
Passed during the 2023 session of the Florida Legislature, Florida SB 774 requires municipal and city elected officials to file a Form 6, a public disclosure of an official’s exact net worth, 401(k) plans and personal assets and liabilities over $1,000.
Previously, municipal and city officials were only required to fill out a “Form 1,” a limited financial disclosure form which did not require them to list their net worth or the exact values of their personal property, except for properties valued at more than $10,000.