Legislative policy and procedure: standing policy of The Florida Bar board of governors.

9.10 Generally

9.20 Action by Board of Governors

9.21 Action by Executive Committee or President

9.30 Legislation Committee

9.40 Procedure for Hiring Advisor and Consultants

9.50 Legislative and Political Activities of Sections

9.51 Procedure for Hiring Section Advisors

9.60 Legislative and Political Activities of Divisions and Committees

9.70 Advice and Consultation with Governmental Officials or Others by Florida Bar Members

9.10 Generally.

(a) Applicability. These policies and procedures, combined with the amicus curiae policy and procedures set forth elsewhere herein, are in furtherance of the board of governors' powers to establish, maintain, and supervise a program of The Florida Bar for providing information and advice to the courts and all other branches of government concerning current law and proposed or contemplated changes in the law.

(b) Authority. The Florida Bar shall not advocate a legislative or political issue unless it is determined by the board of governors that the matter is related to the purposes of The Florida Bar as set forth in the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar and is otherwise consistent with applicable court decisions. Those authorities and these policies shall further govern the limits of and procedures regarding legislative or political involvement by bar committees, sections and divisions.

9.20 Action by Board of Governors.

(a) Procedure for Requesting Board Action.

(1) A request that the board of governors take action on a legislative or political issue shall be submitted to the executive director in the form and with the information specified in subdivision (c) of this policy at least 20 days before the beginning of any regular meeting of the board of governors.

(2) The executive director shall circulate copies of all requests for board action on a legislative or political issue to all members of the board of governors and to the legislation committee for review and action in accordance with these policies.

(3) A request for board action on a legislative or political issue that is not submitted by the deadline will not be considered until the next succeeding meeting of the board of governors unless:

(A) the request is presented in writing to the legislation committee at its meeting preceding the board of governors' meeting; and

(B) sufficient copies of the request for each member of the board of governors are delivered to the executive director prior to the commencement of the board meeting; and

(C) the board of governors by majority vote agrees to agenda the request.

(4) The board of governors may be called upon to act on a request for action on a legislative or political issue either by:

(A) a recommendation of the legislation committee made in the form of a motion by its chair or 1 of its members; or

(B) motion of a member of the board of governors addressed to matters previously considered by the legislation committee.

(5) Consideration of any request for action on a legislative or political issue by the board of governors shall be consistent with the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar and otherwise proceed in the following order:

(A) an affirmative vote by a 2/3 majority of those present and voting that the proposed legislative; or political action is within the scope of the authority of The Florida Bar under the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar and applicable court decisions;

(B) if the vote is affirmative, a second affirmative vote by 2/3 of those present and voting that the specific legislative or political position is adopted.

(b) Appearances Before Board or Committees. The legislation committee, the board of governors, or the executive committee may allow any interested person to appear before it in support of or in opposition to any legislative or political action being considered, subject to reasonable limitations on available time.

(c) Requests for Bar Position. Requests that The Florida Bar take a position on a legislative or political issue shall be accompanied in all cases by a copy of the pertinent legislation or a detailed presentation of the political issue, together with the following information:

(1) identification of, reference to, or copies of similar legislation or presentation being considered by the legislature or other body;

(2) a statement concerning the known principal proponents and opponents of the legislative or political issue including, if possible, a brief statement of the reasons for opposition or support by the other interests;

(3) a statement of the known position on the legislative or political issue taken by any division, section, or committee of The Florida Bar that has...