The Legislature has signed off on a measure that would implement a 2018 constitutional amendment that bars judges and justices from lobbying for six years after leaving the bench.

Without discussion or debate, the Senate voted 38-0 on February 23 to grant final approval to HB 7003 by Rep. Traci Koster, R-Safety Harbor. The House approved the measure 118-0 on February 10.

The bill would implement a portion of Amendment 12, a government ethics proposal by the Constitution Revision Commission that voters approved by a 79% margin. The portion that applies to justices and judges takes effect December 31, 2022.