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SB1440 • 2026

Public Records/Office of Financial Regulation

Public Records/Office of Financial Regulation

Technology
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Martin
Last action
2026-03-13
Official status
House - Died in Messages
Effective date
Except as

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Public Records/Office of Financial Regulation

Public Records/Office of Financial Regulation; Providing an exemption from public records requirements for information received by the Office of Financial Regulation pursuant to certain cybersecurity event provisions relating to information systems and customer information of loan originators, mortgage brokers, and mortgage lenders and for information received by the office as a result of investigations and examinations of such cybersecurity events; providing a public records exemption for certain information in reports of financial exploitation; providing an exemption from public records requirements for information received by the office pursuant to certain cybersecurity events, documents relating to information systems, and customer information of money services businesses and for information received by the office as a result of investigations and examinations of such cybersecurity events; providing for future legislative review and repeal of the exemption; providing a statement of public necessity, etc.

What This Bill Does

  • Public Records/Office of Financial Regulation; Providing an exemption from public records requirements for information received by the Office of Financial Regulation pursuant to certain cybersecurity event provisions relating to information systems and customer information of loan originators, mortgage brokers, and mortgage lenders and for information received by the office as a result of investigations and examinations of such cybersecurity events; providing a public records exemption for certain information in reports of financial exploitation; providing an exemption from public records requirements for information received by the office pursuant to certain cybersecurity events, documents relating to information systems, and customer information of money services businesses and for information received by the office as a result of investigations and examinations of such cybersecurity events; providing for future legislative review and repeal of the exemption; providing a statement of public necessity, etc.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

960882

Committee amendment S 1440 Filed • Banking and Insurance (Martin)

Replaced by Committee Substitute 1/29/2026

Plain English: Florida Senate - 2026 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No.

  • Florida Senate - 2026 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No.
  • SB 1440 Ì960882>Î960882 LEGISLATIVE ACTION Senate .
  • House .
  • .
266456

Committee amendment S 1440 c1 • Rules (Martin)

Replaced by Committee Substitute 2/24/2026

Plain English: Florida Senate - 2026 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No.

  • Florida Senate - 2026 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT Bill No.
  • CS for SB 1440 Ì266456BÎ266456 LEGISLATIVE ACTION Senate .
  • House Comm: RCS .
  • 02/24/2026 .
338078

Floor amendment S 1440 c2 • Martin

Senate: Adopted 2/25/2026

Plain English: Florida Senate - 2026 SENATOR AMENDMENT Bill No.

  • Florida Senate - 2026 SENATOR AMENDMENT Bill No.
  • CS for CS for SB 1440 Ì338078IÎ338078 LEGISLATIVE ACTION Senate .
  • House .
  • .
137224

Floor amendment S 1440 c2 • Martin

Senate: Adopted 2/25/2026

Plain English: Florida Senate - 2026 SENATOR AMENDMENT Bill No.

  • Florida Senate - 2026 SENATOR AMENDMENT Bill No.
  • CS for CS for SB 1440 Ì137224ÆÎ137224 LEGISLATIVE ACTION Senate .
  • House .
  • .

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-13 House

    • Died in Messages

  2. 2026-02-25 Senate

    • Read 2nd time -SJ 436 • Amendment(s) adopted (137224, 338078) -SJ 436 • Read 3rd time -SJ 436 • CS passed as amended; YEAS 35 NAYS 1 -SJ 436 • Immediately certified -SJ 437

  3. 2026-02-25 House

    • In Messages

  4. 2026-02-24 Senate

    • CS/CS by- Rules; YEAS 22 NAYS 1 • Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute) • Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading • Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/25/26 • CS/CS by Rules read 1st time

  5. 2026-02-19 Senate

    • On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/24/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building

  6. 2026-02-18 Senate

    • Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; YEAS 10 NAYS 1 • Now in Rules

  7. 2026-02-13 Senate

    • On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, 02/18/26, 10:30 am, 412 Knott Building

  8. 2026-02-04 Senate

    • CS by Banking and Insurance read 1st time

  9. 2026-01-29 Senate

    • Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute) • Now in Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

  10. 2026-01-28 Senate

    • CS by Banking and Insurance; YEAS 10 NAYS 0

  11. 2026-01-23 Senate

    • On Committee agenda-- Banking and Insurance, 01/28/26, 10:30 am, 412 Knott Building

  12. 2026-01-22 Senate

    • Introduced

  13. 2026-01-16 Senate

    • Referred to Banking and Insurance; Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Rules

  14. 2026-01-08 Senate

    • Filed

Official Summary Text

Public Records/Office of Financial Regulation; Providing an exemption from public records requirements for information received by the Office of Financial Regulation pursuant to certain cybersecurity event provisions relating to information systems and customer information of loan originators, mortgage brokers, and mortgage lenders and for information received by the office as a result of investigations and examinations of such cybersecurity events; providing a public records exemption for certain information in reports of financial exploitation; providing an exemption from public records requirements for information received by the office pursuant to certain cybersecurity events, documents relating to information systems, and customer information of money services businesses and for information received by the office as a result of investigations and examinations of such cybersecurity events; providing for future legislative review and repeal of the exemption; providing a statement of public necessity, etc.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
CS for CS for SB 1440

First Engrossed (ntc)

20261440e1

1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to public records; amending s.
3 494.00125, F.S.; providing an exemption from public
4 records requirements for information received by the
5 Office of Financial Regulation pursuant to certain
6 cybersecurity event provisions relating to information
7 systems and customer information of loan originators,
8 mortgage brokers, and mortgage lenders and for
9 information received by the office as a result of
10 investigations and examinations of such cybersecurity
11 events; providing for future legislative review and
12 repeal of the exemption; providing a statement of
13 public necessity; amending s. 517.2015, F.S.;
14 providing a public records exemption for certain
15 information in reports of financial exploitation;
16 providing for future legislative review and repeal of
17 the exemption; providing a statement of public
18 necessity; reenacting and amending s. 560.129, F.S.;
19 expanding a public records exemption for certain
20 information obtained by the Office of Financial
21 Regulation concerning or during the course of an
22 investigation or examination conducted by the office,
23 including customer and consumer complaints, to
24 incorporate the inclusion of documents relating to
25 cybersecurity incidents, data breaches, and
26 information security programs; providing an exemption
27 from public records requirements for information
28 received by the office pursuant to certain
29 cybersecurity events, documents relating to
30 information systems, and customer information of money
31 services businesses and for information received by
32 the office as a result of investigations and
33 examinations of such cybersecurity events; providing
34 for future legislative review and repeal of the
35 exemptions; providing a statement of public necessity;
36 amending s. 560.129, F.S.; expanding a public records
37 exemption for certain information obtained by the
38 Office of Financial Regulation concerning or during
39 the course of an investigation or examination
40 conducted by the office, including customer and
41 consumer complaints, to incorporate the inclusion of
42 documents relating to virtual currency businesses and
43 qualified payment stablecoin issuers; providing for
44 future legislative review and repeal of the
45 exemptions; specifying that certain provisions do not
46 become effective under certain circumstances;
47 providing statements of public necessity; amending s.
48 655.0171, F.S.; providing an exemption from public
49 records requirements for customer personal information
50 received by the office relating to breaches of
51 security of financial institutions or received by the
52 office as a result of investigations of such breaches
53 under certain circumstances; providing exceptions;
54 providing definitions; providing for future
55 legislative review and repeal of the exemption;
56 providing a statement of public necessity; amending s.
57 655.057, F.S.; providing an exemption from public
58 records requirements for certain information received
59 by the office pursuant to applications for authority
60 to organize new state credit unions and for certain
61 information relating to specified persons; providing
62 exceptions; defining the term “personal identifying
63 information”; revising the date for future legislative
64 review and repeal of the exemption; providing a
65 statement of public necessity; reenacting and amending
66 s. 655.057, F.S.; expanding a public records exemption
67 for certain information obtained by the office
68 concerning an investigation or examination conducted
69 by the office, including reports or papers of
70 examinations, operations, or condition, and trade
71 secrets to incorporate the inclusion of trust
72 companies that are qualified payment stablecoin
73 issuers; providing for future legislative review and
74 repeal of the exemption; providing a statement of
75 public necessity; reenacting and amending s. 655.50,
76 F.S.; expanding a public records exemption for reports
77 and records filed with the office to incorporate the
78 inclusion of financial institutions that are trust
79 companies that are qualified payment stablecoin
80 issuers; providing a statement of public necessity;
81 providing contingent effective dates.
82
83 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
84
85 Section 1. Subsection (4) is added to section 494.00125,
86 Florida Statutes, to read:
87 494.00125 Public records exemptions.—
88
(4)

INFORMATION SECURITY; CYBERSECURITY.—All information

89
received by the office pursuant to s. 494.00123, or received by

90
the office as result of an investigation by the office or a law

91
enforcement agency of a cybersecurity event pursuant to s.

92
494.00123, is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s.

93
24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution, until such time as the

94
investigation is completed or ceases to be active. The public

95
records exemption of the information received by the office

96
under this subsection shall be construed in conformity with s.

97
119.071(2)(c). This subsection is subject to the Open Government

98
Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand

99
repealed on October 2, 2031, unless reviewed and saved from

100
repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.

101 Section 2.
(1)

The Legislature finds that it is a public

102
necessity that information on cybersecurity events submitted to

103
or obtained by the Office of Financial Regulation pursuant to s.

104
494.00123, Florida Statutes, or as a result of an investigation

105
by the office which involve information security programs of

106
loan originators, mortgage brokers, and mortgage lenders and

107
nonpublic personal data of customers of such loan originators,

108
mortgage brokers, and mortgage lenders be made confidential and

109
exempt from public disclosure.

110
(2)(a)

Premature or unrestricted release of information on

111
cybersecurity events, as defined in s. 494.00123(1), Florida

112
Statutes, could compromise ongoing investigations, expose system

113
vulnerabilities, and hinder the office’s ability to protect

114
consumers and regulate financial institutions effectively.

115
Disclosure of such information could also place affected

116
individuals at heightened risk of identity theft and financial

117
fraud while revealing trade secrets, proprietary data, and

118
technical safeguards that could be exploited by malicious

119
actors.

120
(b)

Protecting information on cybersecurity events ensures

121
that entities cooperate fully with regulators, encourages

122
accurate reporting of security incidents, and maintains the

123
overall integrity of the financial and cybersecurity

124
infrastructure of this state.

125
(3)

It is therefore a public necessity that all information

126
received by the office pursuant to s. 494.00123, Florida

127
Statutes, or through an investigation by the office or a law

128
enforcement agency of a cybersecurity event pursuant to s.

129
494.00123, Florida Statutes, be made confidential and exempt

130
from s. 119.07(1), Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of

131
the State Constitution.

132 Section 3. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
133 517.2015, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection (4) is
134 added to that section, to read:
135 517.2015 Confidentiality of information relating to
136 investigations and examinations.—
137 (1)
138 (b) Except as necessary for the office to enforce the
139 provisions of this chapter, a consumer complaint
, a report of

140
financial exploitation,
and other information relative to an
141 investigation or examination shall remain confidential and
142 exempt from s. 119.07(1)
and s. 24(a), Art
.
I of the State

143
Constitution
after the investigation or examination is completed
144 or ceases to be active to the extent disclosure would:
145 1. Jeopardize the integrity of another active investigation
146 or examination.
147 2. Reveal the name, address, telephone number, social
148 security number, or any other identifying number or information
149 of any complainant, customer,
specified adult as defined in s.

150
517.34
(1)
,
or account holder.
151 3. Disclose the identity of a confidential source.
152 4. Disclose investigative techniques or procedures.
153 5. Reveal a trade secret as defined in s. 688.002.
154
6. Disclose financial information or personal health or

155
medical conditions of a complainant, customer, or specified

156
adult as defined in s. 517.34
(1)
.

157
(4)
Paragraph (1)(b) is subject to the Open Government

158
Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and is repealed

159
October 2, 2031, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through

160
reenactment by the Legislature.

161 Section 4.
The Legislature finds that it is a public

162
necessity that information in the possession of the
Office of

163
Financial Regulation
arising from a report of financial

164
exploitation under s. 517.34
, Florida Statutes,
concerning the

165
financial exploitation of specified adults be made confidential

166
and exempt from s. 119.07(1)
, Florida Statutes,
and s. 24(a),

167
Article I of the State Constitution.
The exemptions from public

168
records requirements provided under s. 517.2015 (1)(b), Florida

169
Statutes, are necessary to ensure the office’s ability to

170
administer its regulatory duties while preventing unwarranted

171
damage to the good name or reputation of a specified adult or

172
jeopardizing his or her safety. Such disclosure could also

173
result in the spread of inaccurate information, which could harm

174
the specified adult
.
The Legislature finds that the release of

175
information in a report of financial exploitation under s.

176
517.34
, Florida Statutes,

which
contains sensitive personal

177
nonfinancial information related to the physical and mental

178
health or condition of the exploited person could result in the

179
disclosure of personal health and medical conditions, as well as

180
the further targeting and exploitation of the specified adult.

181 Section 5. Present subsection (7) of section 560.129,
182 Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (9), new
183 subsections (7) and (8) are added to that section, and
184 subsections (1), (2), and (4) of that section are reenacted, to
185 read:
186 560.129 Confidentiality.—
187 (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all
188 information concerning an investigation or examination conducted
189 by the office pursuant to this chapter, including any customer
190 complaint received by the office or the Department of Financial
191 Services, is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s.
192 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution until the investigation
193 or examination ceases to be active. For purposes of this
194 section, an investigation or examination is considered “active”
195 so long as the office or any other administrative, regulatory,
196 or law enforcement agency of any jurisdiction is proceeding with
197 reasonable dispatch and has a reasonable good faith belief that
198 action may be initiated by the office or other administrative,
199 regulatory, or law enforcement agency.
200 (2) All information obtained by the office in the course of
201 its investigation or examination which is a trade secret, as
202 defined in s. 688.002, or which is personal financial
203 information shall remain confidential and exempt from s.
204 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. If any
205 administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding against a money
206 services business, its authorized vendor, or an affiliated party
207 is initiated and the office seeks to use matter that a licensee
208 believes to be a trade secret or personal financial information,
209 such records shall be subject to an in camera review by the
210 administrative law judge, if the matter is before the Division
211 of Administrative Hearings, or a judge of any court of this
212 state, any other state, or the United States, as appropriate,
213 for the purpose of determining if the matter is a trade secret
214 or is personal financial information. If it is determined that
215 the matter is a trade secret, the matter shall remain
216 confidential. If it is determined that the matter is personal
217 financial information, the matter shall remain confidential
218 unless the administrative law judge or judge determines that, in
219 the interests of justice, the matter should become public.
220 (4) Except as necessary for the office or any other
221 administrative, regulatory, or law enforcement agency of any
222 jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this chapter or the
223 law of any other state or the United States, a consumer
224 complaint and other information concerning an investigation or
225 examination shall remain confidential and exempt from s.
226 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution after
227 the investigation or examination ceases to be active to the
228 extent that disclosure would:
229 (a) Jeopardize the integrity of another active
230 investigation;
231 (b) Reveal personal financial information;
232 (c) Reveal the identity of a confidential source; or
233 (d) Reveal investigative techniques or procedures.
234
(7)

All information received by the office related to

235
cybersecurity incidents, security breaches, or an information

236
security program notification or required submission pursuant to

237
s. 560.1311 or as a result of an investigation by the office or

238
a law enforcement agency is confidential and exempt from s.

239
119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.

240
Information received as a result of an investigation by the

241
office or a law enforcement agency shall remain confidential and

242
exempt until such time as the investigation is completed or

243
ceases to be active. Information that is exempt as a result of

244
an investigation shall be construed in conformity with s.

245
119.071(2)(c). This subsection is subject to the Open Government

246
Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand

247
repealed on October 2, 2031, unless reviewed and saved from

248
repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.

249
(8) Subsections (1), (2), and (4) are subject to the Open

250
Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and

251
shall stand repealed on October 2, 2031, unless reviewed and

252
saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.

253 Section 6.
(1)

The Legislature finds all of the following:

254
(a)

It is a public necessity that all information

255
concerning an investigation or examination of a money services

256
business conducted by the Office of Financial Regulation

257
pursuant to chapter 560, Florida Statutes, including a consumer

258
complaint, be made confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1),

259
Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the State

260
Constitution until the investigation or examination ceases to be

261
active. The Legislature further finds that such information

262
should remain confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1), Florida

263
Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the State Constitution

264
after the investigation or examination ceases to be active if

265
its disclosure would jeopardize the office’s investigations by

266
revealing techniques or procedures or otherwise reveal

267
information that is being used in another investigation, or if

268
disclosure would reveal personal financial information or a

269
confidential source.

270
(b)

It is a public necessity that trade secrets or personal

271
financial information obtained by the office in the course of an

272
investigation or examination pursuant to chapter 560, Florida

273
Statutes, be made confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1),

274
Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the State

275
Constitution, unless an administrative law judge or circuit

276
judge determines that the release of personal financial

277
information to the public is in the interest of justice.

278
(c) It is a public necessity that information related to

279
cybersecurity incidents, data breaches, and information security

280
programs submitted to or obtained by the Office of Financial

281
Regulation be made confidential and exempt from public

282
disclosure.

283
(2)
Information specified in
subsection (1)
is held by the

284
office in conjunction with its investigations and examinations

285
of money services businesses, which
includes documents relating

286
to cybersecurity incidents, data breaches, and information

287
security programs. Premature or unrestricted release of such

288
information could compromise ongoing investigations, expose

289
system vulnerabilities, and hinder the office’s ability to

290
protect consumers and regulate money services businesses

291
effectively. Disclosure could also place affected individuals at

292
heightened risk of identity theft and financial fraud while

293
revealing trade secrets, proprietary data, and technical

294
safeguards that could be exploited by malicious actors.

295
Protecting this information ensures that entities cooperate

296
fully with regulators, encourages accurate reporting of security

297
incidents, and maintains the overall integrity of this state’s

298
financial and cybersecurity infrastructure.

299 Section 7. Effective on the same date that SB 198 or SB
300 314, 2026 Regular Session, or similar legislation takes effect,
301 if such legislation is adopted in the same legislative session
302 or an extension thereof and becomes a law, present subsection
303 (7) of section 560.129, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as
304 subsection (8), a new subsection (7) is added to that section,
305 and subsections (1), (2), and (4) of that section are reenacted,
306 to read:
307 560.129 Confidentiality.—
308 (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all
309 information concerning an investigation or examination conducted
310 by the office pursuant to this chapter, including any customer
311 complaint received by the office or the Department of Financial
312 Services, is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s.
313 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution until the investigation
314 or examination ceases to be active. For purposes of this
315 section, an investigation or examination is considered “active”
316 so long as the office or any other administrative, regulatory,
317 or law enforcement agency of any jurisdiction is proceeding with
318 reasonable dispatch and has a reasonable good faith belief that
319 action may be initiated by the office or other administrative,
320 regulatory, or law enforcement agency.
321 (2) All information obtained by the office in the course of
322 its investigation or examination which is a trade secret, as
323 defined in s. 688.002, or which is personal financial
324 information shall remain confidential and exempt from s.
325 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. If any
326 administrative, civil, or criminal proceeding against a money
327 services business, its authorized vendor, or an affiliated party
328 is initiated and the office seeks to use matter that a licensee
329 believes to be a trade secret or personal financial information,
330 such records shall be subject to an in camera review by the
331 administrative law judge, if the matter is before the Division
332 of Administrative Hearings, or a judge of any court of this
333 state, any other state, or the United States, as appropriate,
334 for the purpose of determining if the matter is a trade secret
335 or is personal financial information. If it is determined that
336 the matter is a trade secret, the matter shall remain
337 confidential. If it is determined that the matter is personal
338 financial information, the matter shall remain confidential
339 unless the administrative law judge or judge determines that, in
340 the interests of justice, the matter should become public.
341 (4) Except as necessary for the office or any other
342 administrative, regulatory, or law enforcement agency of any
343 jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this chapter or the
344 law of any other state or the United States, a consumer
345 complaint and other information concerning an investigation or
346 examination shall remain confidential and exempt from s.
347 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution after
348 the investigation or examination ceases to be active to the
349 extent that disclosure would:
350 (a) Jeopardize the integrity of another active
351 investigation;
352 (b) Reveal personal financial information;
353 (c) Reveal the identity of a confidential source; or
354 (d) Reveal investigative techniques or procedures.
355
(7) Subsections (1), (2), and (4) are subject to the Open

356
Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and

357
shall stand repealed on October 2, 2031, unless reviewed and

358
saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.

359 Section 8.
Effecti
ve
upon becoming a law, notwithstanding

360
section
7
of this act, if section
5
of this act becomes law, the

361
amendment to s. 560.129(7), Florida Statutes, in section
7
of

362
this act may not take effect.

363 Section 9.
(
1)

The Legislature finds all of the following:

364
(a)

It is a public necessity that all information

365
concerning an investigation or examination of a money services

366
business conducted by the Office of Financial Regulation

367
pursuant to chapter 560, Florida Statutes, including a consumer

368
complaint, be made confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1),

369
Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the State

370
Constitution until the investigation or examination ceases to be

371
active. The Legislature further finds that such information

372
should remain confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1), Florida

373
Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the State Constitution

374
after the investigation or examination ceases to be active if

375
its disclosure would jeopardize the office’s investigations by

376
revealing techniques or procedures or otherwise reveal

377
information that is being used in another investigation, or if

378
disclosure would reveal personal financial information or a

379
confidential source.

380
(b)

It is a public necessity that trade secrets or personal

381
financial information obtained by the office in the course of an

382
investigation or examination pursuant to chapter 560, Florida

383
Statutes, be made confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1),

384
Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the State

385
Constitution, unless an administrative law judge or circuit

386
judge determines that the release of personal financial

387
information to the public is in the interest of justice.

388
(2)

Information specified in
paragraphs (1)(a) and (b)
is

389
held by the office in conjunction with its investigations and

390
examinations of money services businesses, which include
virtual

391
currency kiosk businesses
,
as defined in s. 560.103, Florida

392
Statutes, as
amended by ch
apter
2025-100, Laws of Florida.

393
Virtual currency kiosk businesses
are thus subject to

394
investigation or examination by the office. As a result, the

395
office may receive sensitive personal and financial information

396
relating to such entities in conjunction with its duties under

397
chapter 560
, Florida Statutes
. An exemption from public records

398
requirements
provides
the same protections to
virtual currency

399
kiosk businesses

as
are afforded to other money services

400
businesses, thereby preventing any disadvantage to these

401
similarly regulated entities in comparison to other entities

402
currently
classified
as money services businesses. An exemption

403
from public records requirements for reports of examinations,

404
operations, or condition, including working papers, is necessary

405
to ensure the office’s ability to effectively and efficiently

406
administer its examination and investigation duties. Examination

407
and investigation are essential components of financial

408
institutions regulation. They deter fraud and ensure the safety

409
and soundness of the financial system. Examinations
and

410
investigations
also provide a means of early detection of

411
violations, allowing for corrective action to be taken before

412
any harm can be done.
Release of such information could

413
compromise the office’s
examinations or investigations,
reveal

414
investigative techniques, or result in the disclosure of an

415
individual’s personal financial information. Such disclosure

416
could also result in the release of inaccurate information,

417
which could harm the subject of the examination or

418
investigation, or otherwise impair commerce relating to money

419
services businesses.
The Legislature finds that there is little

420
public benefit derived from access to such information during

421
the office’s
examinations or investigations,
and that the

422
exemption is narrowly tailored to allow for release except where

423
the public benefit is outweighed by harm to either the office’s

424
investigations
or examinations
or to individuals whose personal

425
financial information may be disclosed.

426
(3) This section shall take effect on the same date that SB

427
198 or similar legislation takes effect, if such legislation is

428
adopted in the same legislative session or an extension thereof

429
and becomes a law.

430 Section 10.
(
1)

The Legislature finds all of the

431
following:

432
(a)

It is a public necessity that all information

433
concerning an investigation or examination of a money services

434
business conducted by the Office of Financial Regulation

435
pursuant to chapter 560, Florida Statutes, including a consumer

436
complaint, be made confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1),

437
Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the State

438
Constitution until the investigation or examination ceases to be

439
active. The Legislature further finds that such information

440
should remain confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1), Florida

441
Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the State Constitution

442
after the investigation or examination ceases to be active if

443
its disclosure would jeopardize the office’s
investigations or

444
examinations by
revealing techniques or procedures or
otherwise

445
reveal information that is being used in another investigation

446
or examinations,
or if disclosure would reveal personal

447
financial information or a confidential source.

448
(b)

It
is a public necessity that trade secrets or personal

449
financial information obtained by the office in the course of an

450
investigation or examination pursuant to chapter 560, Florida

451
Statutes, be made confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1),

452
Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the State

453
Constitution, unless an administrative law judge or circuit

454
judge determines that the release of personal financial

455
information to the public is in the interest of justice.

456
(2)

Information specified in
paragraphs (1)(a) and (b)
is

457
held by the office in conjunction with its investigations and

458
examinations of money services businesses, which include

459
qualified payment stablecoin issuers
,
as defined in s. 560.103,

460
Florida Statutes, as
amended by ch
apter
2025-100, Laws of

461
Florida.
Qualified payment stablecoin issuers
are thus subject

462
to investigation or examination by the office. As a result, the

463
office may receive sensitive personal and financial information

464
relating to such entities in conjunction with its duties under

465
chapter 560
, Florida Statutes
. An exemption from public records

466
requirements
provides
the same protections to
qualified payment

467
stablecoin issuers

as
are afforded to other money services

468
businesses, thereby preventing any disadvantage to these

469
similarly regulated entities in comparison to other entities

470
currently
classified
as money services businesses. An exemption

471
from public records requirements for reports of examinations,

472
operations, or condition, including working papers, is necessary

473
to ensure the office’s ability to effectively and efficiently

474
administer its examination and investigation duties. Examination

475
and investigation are essential components of financial

476
institutions regulation. They deter fraud and ensure the safety

477
and soundness of the financial system.
E
xaminations
and

478
investigations
also provide a means of early detection of

479
violations, allowing for corrective action to be taken before

480
any harm can be done.
Release of such information could

481
compromise the office’s examinations or investigations, reveal

482
investigative techniques, or result in the disclosure of an

483
individual’s personal financial information. Such disclosure

484
could also result in the release of inaccurate information,

485
which could harm the subject of the examination or

486
investigation, or otherwise impair commerce relating to money

487
services businesses.
The Legislature finds that there is little

488
public benefit derived from access to such information during

489
the office’s examination
s or investigations
, and that the

490
exemption is narrowly tailored to allow for release except where

491
the public benefit is outweighed by harm to either the office’s

492
investigations
or examinations
or to individuals whose personal

493
financial information may be disclosed.

494
(3) This section shall take effect on the same date that SB

495
314 or similar legislation takes effect, if such legislation is

496
adopted in the same legislative session or an extension thereof

497
and becomes a law.

498 Section 11. Subsection (6) is added to section 655.0171,
499 Florida Statutes, as created by SB 540, 2026 Regular Session, to
500 read:
501 655.0171 Requirements for customer data security and for
502 notices of security breaches.—
503
(6)

PUBLIC RECORDS EXEMPTION.—

504
(a)

All information received by the office pursuant to a

505
notification required by this section, or received by the office

506
pursuant to an investigation by the office or a law enforcement

507
agency under this section, is confidential and exempt from s.

508
119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution
.

509
Information received by the office pursuant to an investigation

510
by the office or a law enforcement agency under this section

511
shall remain confidential and exempt
until such time as the

512
investigation is completed or ceases to be active. This

513
exemption shall be construed in conformity with s.

514
119.071(2)(c).

515
(b)

During an active investigation, information made

516
confidential and exempt pursuant to paragraph (a) may be

517
disclosed by the office:

518
1.

In the furtherance of its official duties and

519
responsibilities;

520
2.

For print, publication, or broadcast if the office

521
determines that such release would assist in notifying the

522
public or locating or identifying a person that the office

523
believes to be a victim of a data breach or improper disposal of

524
customer records, except that information made confidential and

525
exempt by paragraph (c) may not be released pursuant to this

526
subparagraph; or

527
3.

To another governmental entity in the furtherance of its

528
official duties and responsibilities.

529
(c)

Upon completion of an investigation or once an

530
investigation ceases to be active, the following information

531
received by the office remains confidential and exempt from s.

532
119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution:

533
1.

All information to which another public records

534
exemption applies.

535
2.

Personal information.

536
3.

A computer forensic report.

537
4.

Information that would otherwise reveal weaknesses in a

538
financial institution’s data security.

539
5.

Information that would disclose a financial

540
institution’s proprietary information.

541
a.

As used in this subparagraph, the term “proprietary

542
information” means information that:

543
(I)

Is owned or controlled by the financial institution.

544
(II)

Is intended to be private and is treated by the

545
financial institution as private because disclosure would harm

546
the financial institution or its business operations.

547
(III)

Has not been disclosed except as required by law or a

548
private agreement that provides that the information will not be

549
released to the public.

550
(IV)

Is not publicly available or otherwise readily

551
ascertainable through proper means from another source in the

552
same configuration as received by the office.

553
b.

The term

“proprietary information”
includes:

554
(I)

Trade secrets as defined in s. 688.002.

555
(II)

Competitive interests, the disclosure of which would

556
impair the competitive business of the financial institution

557
that is the subject of the information.

558
(d)

As used in this subsection, the term “customer records”

559
means any material, regardless of the physical form, on which

560
personal information is recorded or preserved by any means,

561
including, but not limited to, written or spoken words,

562
graphically depicted, printed, or electromagnetically

563
transmitted
,
which
is
provided by an individual in this state to

564
a financial institution for the purpose of purchasing or leasing

565
a product or obtaining a service.

566
(e)

This subsection is subject to the Open Government

567
Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand

568
repealed on October 2, 2031, unless reviewed and saved from

569
repeal through reenactment by the Legislature
.

570 Section 12.
The Legislature finds that it is a public

571
necessity that all information received by the Office of

572
Financial Regulation pursuant to a notification of a violation

573
of s. 655.0171, Florida Statutes, or received by the Department

574
of Legal Affairs pursuant to an investigation by the department

575
or a law enforcement agency relating to a violation of s.

576
655.0171, Florida Statutes, be made confidential and exempt from

577
s. 119.07(1), Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the

578
State Constitution for the following reasons:

579
(1)

A notification of a violation of s. 655.0171, Florida

580
Statutes, is likely to result in an investigation. The premature

581
release of such information could frustrate or thwart the

582
investigation and impair the ability of the office to

583
effectively and efficiently administer s. 655.0171, Florida

584
Statutes. In addition, release of such information before

585
completion of an active investigation could jeopardize the

586
ongoing investigation.

587
(2)

The Legislature finds that it is a public necessity to

588
continue to protect from public disclosure all information to

589
which another public record exemption applies once an

590
investigation is completed or ceases to be active. Release of

591
such information by the office would undo the specific statutory

592
exemption protecting that information.

593
(3)

An investigation of a data breach or improper disposal

594
of customer records is likely to result in the gathering of

595
sensitive personal information, including social security

596
numbers, identification numbers, and personal financial

597
information of customers of financial institutions. Such

598
information could be used for the purpose of identity theft, and

599
release of such information could subject possible victims of

600
the data breach or improper disposal of customer records to

601
further financial harm.

602
(4)

Release of a computer forensic report or other

603
information that would otherwise reveal weaknesses in a covered

604
financial institution’s data security could compromise the

605
future security of that financial institution, or other

606
financial institutions, if such information were available upon

607
conclusion of an investigation or once an investigation ceased

608
to be active. The release of such report or information could

609
compromise the security of current financial institutions and

610
make those financial institutions susceptible to future data

611
breaches. Release of such report or information could result in

612
the identification of vulnerabilities and further breaches of

613
that system.

614
(5)

Notices received by the office and information received

615
during an investigation of a data breach are likely to contain

616
proprietary information, including trade secrets, about the

617
security of the breached system. The release of the proprietary

618
information could result in the identification of

619
vulnerabilities and further breaches of that system. In

620
addition, a trade secret derives independent, economic value,

621
actual or potential, from being generally unknown to, and not

622
readily ascertainable by, other persons. Allowing public access

623
to proprietary information, including a trade secret, through a

624
public records request could destroy the value of the

625
proprietary information and cause a financial loss to the

626
financial institution submitting the information. Release of

627
such information could give business competitors an unfair

628
advantage in the marketplace and weaken the position of the

629
financial institution supplying the proprietary information.

630 Section 13. Subsection (5) of section 655.057, Florida
631 Statutes, is amended to read:
632 655.057 Records; limited restrictions upon public access.—
633 (5)(a) The following information received by the office
634 pursuant to an application for authority to organize a new state
635 bank or new state trust company under chapter 658
, or pursuant

636
to an application for authority to organize a new state credit

637
union under chapter 657,
is confidential and exempt from s.
638 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution:
639 1. Personal financial information.
640 2. A driver license number, a passport number, a military
641 identification number, or any other number or code issued on a
642 government document used to verify identity.
643 3. Books and records of a current or proposed financial
644 institution.
645 4. The proposed state bank’s
,

or
proposed state trust
646 company’s
, or proposed state credit union’s
proposed business
647 plan.
648 (b) The personal identifying information of a proposed
649 officer or proposed director who is currently employed by, or
650 actively participates in the affairs of, another financial
651 institution received by the office pursuant to an application
652 for authority to organize a new state bank or new state trust
653 company under chapter 658
, or pursuant to an application for

654
authority to organize a new state credit union under chapter

655
657,
is exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the
656 State Constitution until the application is approved and the
657 charter is issued. As used in this paragraph, the term “personal
658 identifying information” means names, home addresses, e-mail
659 addresses, telephone numbers, names of relatives, work
660 experience, professional licensing and educational backgrounds,
661 and photographs.
662 (c) This subsection is subject to the Open Government
663 Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and is repealed
664 October 2,
2031

2029
, unless reviewed and saved from repeal
665 through reenactment by the Legislature.
666 Section 14.
(1)(a)

The Legislature finds that it is a

667
public necessity that information received by the Office of

668
Financial Regulation pursuant to an application for authority to

669
organize a new state credit union under chapter 657, Florida

670
Statutes, be made confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1),

671
Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the State

672
Constitution to the extent that disclosure would reveal:

673
1.

Personal financial information;

674
2.

A driver license number, a passport number, a military

675
identification number, or any other number or code issued on a

676
government document used to verify identity;

677
3.

Books and records of a current or proposed financial

678
institution; or

679
4.

A proposed new state credit union’s business plan and

680
any attached supporting documentation.

681
(b)

The Legislature further finds that it is a public

682
necessity that the personal identifying information of a

683
proposed officer or proposed director who is currently employed

684
by, or actively participates in the affairs of, another

685
financial institution which is
received by the office pursuant

686
to an application for authority to organize
a new state credit

687
union under chapter 657, Florida Statutes, be made confidential

688
and exempt from s. 119.07(1), Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a),

689
Article I of the State Constitution for the duration of the

690
application process, until the application is approved and a

691
charter is issued.

692
(2)

The office may receive sensitive personal, financial,

693
and business information in conjunction with its duties related

694
to the review of applications for the organization or

695
establishment of new state credit unions. The exemptions from

696
public records requirements provided under subsection (1) are

697
necessary to ensure the office’s ability to administer its

698
regulatory duties while preventing unwarranted damage to the

699
proposed state credit unions or certain proposed officers or

700
proposed directors of new state credit unions in this state. The

701
release of information that could lead to the identification of

702
an individual involved in the potential establishment of a new

703
state credit union may subject such individual to retribution

704
and jeopardize his or her current employment with, or

705
participation in the affairs of, another financial institution.

706
Thus, the public availability of such information has a chilling

707
effect on the establishment of new state credit unions. Further,

708
the public availability of the books and financial records of a

709
current or proposed state credit union presents an unnecessary

710
risk of harm to the business operations of such credit union.

711
Finally, the public availability of a proposed state credit

712
union’s business plan may cause competitive harm to its future

713
business operations and presents an unfair competitive advantage

714
for existing state credit unions that are not required to

715
release such information.

716 Section 15. Effective on the same date that SB 314 or
717 similar legislation takes effect, if such legislation is adopted
718 in the same legislative session or an extension thereof and
719 becomes a law, subsection (15) is added to section 655.057,
720 Florida Statutes, and subsections (1) through (4), (6), and (10)
721 of that section are reenacted, to read:
722 655.057 Records; limited restrictions upon public access.—
723 (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section and except
724 for such portions thereof which are otherwise public record, all
725 records and information relating to an investigation by the
726 office are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s.
727 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution until such investigation
728 is completed or ceases to be active. For purposes of this
729 subsection, an investigation is considered “active” while such
730 investigation is being conducted by the office with a
731 reasonable, good faith belief that it may lead to the filing of
732 administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings. An investigation
733 does not cease to be active if the office is proceeding with
734 reasonable dispatch, and there is a good faith belief that
735 action may be initiated by the office or other administrative or
736 law enforcement agency. After an investigation is completed or
737 ceases to be active, portions of the records relating to the
738 investigation are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and
739 s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution to the extent that
740 disclosure would:
741 (a) Jeopardize the integrity of another active
742 investigation;
743 (b) Impair the safety and soundness of the financial
744 institution;
745 (c) Reveal personal financial information;
746 (d) Reveal the identity of a confidential source;
747 (e) Defame or cause unwarranted damage to the good name or
748 reputation of an individual or jeopardize the safety of an
749 individual; or
750 (f) Reveal investigative techniques or procedures.
751 (2) Except as otherwise provided in this section and except
752 for such portions thereof which are public record, reports of
753 examinations, operations, or condition, including working
754 papers, or portions thereof, prepared by, or for the use of, the
755 office or any state or federal agency responsible for the
756 regulation or supervision of financial institutions in this
757 state are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s.
758 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. However, such reports
759 or papers or portions thereof may be released to:
760 (a) The financial institution under examination;
761 (b) Any holding company of which the financial institution
762 is a subsidiary;
763 (c) Proposed purchasers if necessary to protect the
764 continued financial viability of the financial institution, upon
765 prior approval by the board of directors of such institution;
766 (d) Persons proposing in good faith to acquire a
767 controlling interest in or to merge with the financial
768 institution, upon prior approval by the board of directors of
769 such financial institution;
770 (e) Any officer, director, committee member, employee,
771 attorney, auditor, or independent auditor officially connected
772 with the financial institution, holding company, proposed
773 purchaser, or person seeking to acquire a controlling interest
774 in or merge with the financial institution; or
775 (f) A fidelity insurance company, upon approval of the
776 financial institution’s board of directors. However, a fidelity
777 insurance company may receive only that portion of an
778 examination report relating to a claim or investigation being
779 conducted by such fidelity insurance company.
780 (g) Examination, operation, or condition reports of a
781 financial institution shall be released by the office within 1
782 year after the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, or
783 conservator to the financial institution. However, any portion
784 of such reports which discloses the identities of depositors,
785 bondholders, members, borrowers, or stockholders, other than
786 directors, officers, or controlling stockholders of the
787 institution, shall remain confidential and exempt from s.
788 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
789
790 Any confidential information or records obtained from the office
791 pursuant to this subsection shall be maintained as confidential
792 and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State
793 Constitution.
794 (3) Except as otherwise provided in this section and except
795 for those portions that are otherwise public record, after an
796 investigation relating to an informal enforcement action is
797 completed or ceases to be active, informal enforcement actions
798 are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art.
799 I of the State Constitution to the extent that disclosure would:
800 (a) Jeopardize the integrity of another active
801 investigation.
802 (b) Impair the safety and soundness of the financial
803 institution.
804 (c) Reveal personal financial information.
805 (d) Reveal the identity of a confidential source.
806 (e) Defame or cause unwarranted damage to the good name or
807 reputation of an individual or jeopardize the safety of an
808 individual.
809 (f) Reveal investigative techniques or procedures.
810 (4) Except as otherwise provided in this section and except
811 for those portions that are otherwise public record, trade
812 secrets as defined in s. 688.002 which comply with s. 655.0591
813 and which are held by the office in accordance with its
814 statutory duties with respect to the financial institutions
815 codes are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s.
816 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
817 (6) This section does not prevent or restrict:
818 (a) Publishing reports that are required to be submitted to
819 the office pursuant to s. 655.045(2) or required by applicable
820 federal statutes or regulations to be published.
821 (b) Furnishing records or information to any other state,
822 federal, or foreign agency responsible for the regulation or
823 supervision of financial institutions.
824 (c) Disclosing or publishing summaries of the condition of
825 financial institutions and general economic and similar
826 statistics and data, provided that the identity of a particular
827 financial institution is not disclosed.
828 (d) Reporting any suspected criminal activity, with
829 supporting documents and information, to appropriate law
830 enforcement and prosecutorial agencies.
831 (e) Furnishing information upon request to the Chief
832 Financial Officer or the Division of Treasury of the Department
833 of Financial Services regarding the financial condition of any
834 financial institution that is, or has applied to be, designated
835 as a qualified public depository pursuant to chapter 280.
836 (f) Furnishing information to Federal Home Loan Banks
837 regarding its member institutions pursuant to an information
838 sharing agreement between the Federal Home Loan Banks and the
839 office.
840
841 Any confidential information or records obtained from the office
842 pursuant to this subsection shall be maintained as confidential
843 and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State
844 Constitution.
845 (10) Materials supplied to the office or to employees of
846 any financial institution by other state or federal governmental
847 agencies remain the property of the submitting agency or the
848 corporation, and any document request must be made to the
849 appropriate agency. Any confidential documents supplied to the
850 office or to employees of any financial institution by other
851 state or federal governmental agencies are confidential and
852 exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State
853 Constitution. Such information shall be made public only with
854 the consent of such agency or the corporation.
855
(15) Subsections (1)-(4), (6), and (10) are subject to the

856
Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15

857
and are repealed October 2, 2031, unless reviewed and saved from

858
repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.

859 Section 16.
(1)

The Legislature finds
that it is

a public

860
necessity that all records and information relating to an

861
investigation by the Office of Financial Regulation undertaken

862
pursuant to chapter 655, Florida Statutes, be made confidential

863
and exempt from s. 119.07(1), Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a),

864
Article I of the State Constitution until the investigation

865
ceases to be active. The Legislature further finds that such

866
information should remain confidential and exempt from s.

867
119.07(1), Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the

868
State Constitution after the investigation ceases to be active

869
if its disclosure would jeopardize the office’s investigations

870
by revealing techniques or procedures, or otherwise reveal

871
information that is being used in another investigation; reveal

872
personal financial information or a confidential source; or

873
defame or cause unwarranted damage to an individual’s reputation

874
or jeopardize his or her safety.

875
(2)

Information specified in
s. 655.057
(1)-(4), (6), and

876
(10),

Florida Statutes,
is held by the office in conjunction

877
with
examinations and
investigations of
trust companies

which

878
may include records concerning
payment stablecoin issuer

879
products or services offered by such
trust companies,
as

880
authorized
in
s.
658.997, Florida Statutes
.
As a result, the

881
office may receive sensitive personal and financial information

882
relating to such
trust companies
in conjunction with its duties

883
under chapter 655
, Florida Statutes
. An exemption from public

884
records requirements
provides
the same protections to
trust

885
companies that are qualified payment stablecoin issuers

as
are

886
afforded to other financial institutions, thereby preventing any

887
disadvantage to these similarly regulated entities in comparison

888
to other entities currently
classified
as financial

889
institutions. An exemption from public records requirements for

890
reports of examinations, operations, or condition, including

891
working papers, is necessary to ensure the office’s ability to

892
effectively and efficiently administer its examination and

893
investigation duties. Examination and investigation are

894
essential components of financial institutions regulation. They

895
deter fraud and ensure the safety and soundness of the financial

896
system. Examinations
and investigations
also provide a means of

897
early detection of violations, allowing for corrective action to

898
be taken before any harm can be done.

899
(
3)

The Legislature finds that it is a public necessity to

900
make confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1), Florida

901
Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the State Constitution

902
records and information relating to an
examination or

903
investigation by the Office of Financial Regulation; portions of

904
records relating to a completed or inactive
examination or

905
investigation by the office which would jeopardize the integrity

906
of another active
examination or
investigation, impair the

907
safety and soundness of the financial institution, reveal

908
personal financial information, reveal the identity of a

909
confidential source, defame or cause unwarranted damage to the

910
good name or reputation of an individual or jeopardize the

911
safety of an individual, or reveal investigative techniques or

912
procedures; reports of examinations, operations, or condition
s
,

913
including working papers, or portions thereof, prepared by, or

914
for the use of, the office or any state or federal agency

915
responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial

916
institutions in this state, until 1 year after the appointment

917
of a liquidator; any portion of such reports which discloses the

918
identities of depositors, bondholders, members, borrowers, or

919
stockholders, other than directors, officers, or controlling

920
stockholders of the institution; trade secrets held by the

921
office in accordance with its statutory duties under ch
apter

922
655,
Florida Statutes,
unless an administrative law judge or

923
circuit
judge determines that the release of personal financial

924
information to the public is in the interest of justice; and

925
materials supplied to the office or to employees of any

926
financial institution by other state or federal governmental

927
agencies.

928
(4)

Release of i
nformation specified in
s. 655.057
(1)-(4),

929
(6), and (10), Florida Statutes, could compromise the office’s

930
examinations and investigations, reveal investigative

931
techniques, result in the disclosure of an individual’s personal

932
financial information, or defame or cause unwarranted damage to

933
the good name or reputation of an individual or entity or

934
jeopardize his or her safety. Such disclosure could also result

935
in the spread of inaccurate information, which could harm the

936
subject of the examination or investigation, or otherwise impair

937
commerce conducted by financial institutions in this state
. Any

938
portion of a record or information relating to an
examination or

939
investigation
which reveals personal financial information or

940
the identity of a confidential source may defame, or cause

941
unwarranted damage to the good name or reputation of, those

942
individuals, or jeopardize their safety.

943
(
5
)

A trade secret derives independent economic value,

944
actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not

945
readily ascertainable by, other persons who can obtain economic

946
value from the disclosure or use of the trade secret. Without an

947
exemption for a trade secret held by the office in accordance

948
with its duties prescribed by ch
apter
655,
Florida Statutes,

949
that trade secret becomes a public record when received and must

950
be divulged upon request. Divulging a trade secret under the

951
public records law would give business competitors an unfair

952
advantage and destroy the value of that property, causing a

953
financial loss to the person or entity submitting the trade

954
secret and weakening the position of that person or entity in

955
the marketplace.

956
(
6
)

The Legislature finds that there is little public

957
benefit derived from access to such information during the

958
office’s
examinations or
investigation
s
, and that the exemption

959
is narrowly tailored to allow for release except
where
the

960
public benefit is outweighed by harm
to individuals or

961
institutions,

when
the disclosure would jeopardize other

962
examinations or
investigations, reveal the office’s

963
investigative techniques or procedures, or expose personal

964
financial information or a confidential source.

965
(
7
) This section shall take effect on the same date that SB

966
314 or similar legislation takes effect, if such legislation is

967
adopted in the same legislative session or an extension thereof

968
and becomes a law.

969 Section 17. Effective on the same date that SB 314 or
970 similar legislation takes effect, if such legislation is adopted
971 in the same legislative session or an extension thereof and
972 becomes a law, subsection (7) of section 655.50, Florida
973 Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (d) of subsection (5) of
974 this section is reenacted, to read:
975 655.50 Florida Control of Money Laundering and Terrorist
976 Financing in Financial Institutions Act.—
977 (5) A financial institution shall keep a record of each
978 financial transaction occurring in this state known to it which
979 involves currency or other monetary instrument, as the
980 commission prescribes by rule, has a value greater than $10,000,
981 and involves the proceeds of specified unlawful activity, or is
982 designed to evade the reporting requirements of this section,
983 chapter 896, or similar state or federal law, or which the
984 financial institution reasonably believes is suspicious
985 activity. Each financial institution shall maintain appropriate
986 procedures to ensure compliance with this section, chapter 896,
987 and other similar state or federal law. Any report of suspicious
988 activity made pursuant to this subsection is entitled to the
989 same confidentiality provided under 31 C.F.R. s. 1020.320,
990 whether the report or information pertaining to or identifying
991 the report is in the possession or control of the office or the
992 reporting institution.
993 (d) Each financial institution shall file a report of the
994 records required under this subsection with the office. Each
995 report shall be filed at such time and must contain such
996 information as the commission requires by rule.
997 (7) All reports and records filed with the office pursuant
998 to this section are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1)
999
and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution
. However, the
1000 office shall provide any report filed pursuant to this section,
1001 or information contained therein, to federal, state, and local
1002 law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, and any federal or
1003 state agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of
1004 financial institutions.
1005 Section 18.
(1)

The Legislature finds that it is a public

1006
necessity that all reports and records filed with the
Office of

1007
Financial Regulation
be made confidential and exempt from s.

1008
119.07(1), Florida Statutes, and s. 24(a), Article I of the

1009
State Constitution unless disclosure is requested by a federal,

1010
state, or local law enforcement or prosecutorial agency
or
any

1011
federal or state agency responsible for the regulation or

1012
supervision of financial institutions. Information regarding

1013
potential money laundering or terrorism must be safeguarded to

1014
prevent the potential offender from being tipped off or

1015
circumventing an investigation conducted by the
o
ffice, and

1016
disclosure of such information
could harm the office’s

1017
investigations.

1018
(2)

These reports and records are held by the office in

1019
conjunction with its duties pursuant to 31 U.S.C. s. 5313 and 31

1020
C.F.R. part 1020 and its
examinations or
investigations of
trust

1021
companies
’ transactions involving monetary instruments

1022
concerning
payment stablecoin
products or services offered by

1023
such
companies,
as authorized
in
s.
658.997, Florida Statutes
,

1024
to include any transactions involving
payment stablecoin

1025
products or services offered by such financial institutions. As

1026
a result, the office may receive sensitive personal and

1027
financial information relating to such entities in conjunction

1028
with its duties under chapter 655
, Florida Statutes
. An

1029
exemption from public records requirements
provides
the same

1030
protections to
trust companies that hold a certificate of

1031
authority as a qualified payment stablecoin issuer

as
are

1032
afforded to other financial institutions, thereby preventing any

1033
disadvantage to these similarly regulated entities in comparison

1034
to other entities currently
classified
as financial

1035
institutions. An exemption from public records requirements for

1036
reports and records submitted to the office is necessary to

1037
ensure the office’s ability to effectively and efficiently

1038
administer its investigation duties. Examination and

1039
investigation are essential components of financial institutions

1040
regulation. They deter fraud and ensure the safety and soundness

1041
of the financial system. Examinations
and investigations
also

1042
provide a means of early detection of violations, allowing for

1043
corrective action to be taken before any harm can be done.

1044
(3) This section shall take effect on the same date that SB

1045
314 or similar legislation takes effect, if such legislation is

1046
adopted in the same legislative session or an extension thereof

1047
and becomes a law.

1048 Section 19. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
1049 act and except for this section, which shall take effect upon
1050 becoming a law, this act shall take effect on the same date that
1051 SB 540 or similar legislation takes effect, if such legislation
1052 is adopted in the same legislative session or an extension
1053 thereof and becomes a law.