The Florida Legislature passed legislation that changes state nepotism law so it would not create any issues for Jacksonville City Council member Joe Carlucci to run for council vice president while serving on council with his father, Matt Carlucci.

Joe Carlucci is one of four council members running for vice president along with council members Ken Amaro, Rahman Johnson and Chris Miller. The winner will serve a one-year term starting in July and be the frontrunner to become council president in July 2027.

After the state Commission on Ethics deadlocked 3-3 at its Jan. 23 meeting on applying current law to a run by Carlucci for council vice president, state Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, amended an already-filed bill to say nepotism restrictions don’t enter the picture when two relatives serve together and one of them seeks a leadership position on the council.

City Councilman Joe Carlucci, a member of the Finance Committee, talks about an issue during the month of August for budget hearings Thursday August 14, 2025 at Jacksonville City Hall. After the Finance Committee completes its version of the 2025-26 budget, the full council will vote on it in September. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

City Councilman Joe Carlucci, a member of the Finance Committee, talks about an issue during the month of August for budget hearings Thursday August 14, 2025 at Jacksonville City Hall. After the Finance Committee completes its version of the 2025-26 budget, the full council will vote on it in September. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

Jacksonville City Council members have until the end of the month to file for the vice president post. The 19-member council will vote in May on who will be the next vice president.

Nick Howland, the current vice president, is running unchallenged to move up to be president. He announced he had secured 16 pledges to vote for him as president.

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The House unanimously supported the bill (SB 572) this week and sent it to the Senate which approved it on Feb. 12. After the Legislature sends the bill to Gov. Ron DeSantis, he can sign it, veto it or let it become law without his signature.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida Legislature changes nepotism law for Jacksonville City Council