MIAMI, FL – A new Florida law taking effect today, July 1, 2025, grants local elected officials, their spouses, and adult children the ability to shield their home addresses from public disclosure on property appraiser websites and other publicly accessible documents.
The measure, Senate Bill 268 (SB 268), was sponsored by Democratic Florida state Sen. Shevrin Jones and signed into law last week by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Proponents argued the legislation was necessary to enhance the security of public servants, citing the killing of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman on June 14 as a key motivating factor behind its bipartisan support.
Understanding the New Measure
SB 268 modifies existing state statutes that govern the public availability of personal information held by government agencies. Previously, the home addresses of city and county commissioners and mayors were generally considered public record and readily available on property appraiser databases and other platforms. This contrasted with the status of law enforcement officers and judges, whose addresses are already exempt from public disclosure under existing state law.
The new law extends a similar layer of privacy to local elected officials, allowing them to request that their residential addresses be removed from publicly accessible databases maintained by entities like county property appraisers. The stated aim is to protect officials and their families from potential threats or harassment.
Concerns Over Transparency and Accountability
However, the legislation has not been without its critics. Organizations dedicated to government transparency and public access to information have raised significant concerns about the potential impact of SB 268.
The Florida First Amendment Foundation (FAF), a prominent advocate for open government, argues that the law reduces transparency and hinders the public’s ability to effectively monitor their elected representatives. Critics contend that public access to officials’ residency information is crucial for verifying that they live within the districts they represent, a fundamental requirement for holding local office.
“Transparency is the bedrock of democratic accountability,” stated a representative for FAF in their critique of the bill. “Removing public access to where an official resides makes it more difficult for citizens to ensure their representatives are rooted in and understand the communities they serve.”
Miami-Dade’s Position: A Stand for Openness
In Miami-Dade County, the implementation of SB 268 is moving forward, but the county’s top property official has voiced a personal commitment to maintaining public access to his own information.
Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser Tomás Regalado, who previously served as the Mayor of Miami, confirmed that his office is fully prepared to process exemption requests from eligible individuals under the provisions of SB 268.
However, Mr. Regalado has publicly stated that he will keep his own residential address accessible to the public. He emphasized his belief in the importance of transparency for elected officials, suggesting that while the law allows for privacy, he personally feels a responsibility to remain open about his residency as a public servant.
“My office will comply with the new law and honor requests for exemptions,” Regalado stated. “But I believe that for elected officials, transparency, including where we live, is important. I will keep my address public.”
Regalado’s stance highlights the tension between the perceived need for enhanced security for public figures and the principle of open government that underpins public trust and accountability.
Balancing Security and Public Access
The debate surrounding SB 268 reflects a broader national discussion about how to balance the safety concerns of elected officials in an increasingly polarized political climate with the public’s right to access information about those who represent them. While proponents of the law point to genuine threats faced by public figures, opponents argue that shrinking the pool of publicly available information erodes the very foundation of accountable governance.
As SB 268 becomes effective today, property appraiser offices across Florida will begin accepting and processing requests for address exemptions. The long-term impact on public access to information and the ongoing debate over transparency versus security for elected officials will continue to unfold.
The implementation in Miami-Dade, marked by the Property Appraiser’s personal decision to remain transparent, underscores the varied perspectives on this complex issue throughout the state.
