HB 5709 Summary

• Repeals multiple joint legislative organizations including the Auditor General office, Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA), Joint Administrative Procedures Committee, Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations, Joint Legislative Committee on Everglades Oversight, Florida Government Accountability Act provisions, and the Legislative Law Revision Council.

• Creates a new "Legislative Accountability Office" to consolidate audit and accountability functions, with organization directed by the Legislature or agreement between the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House.

• Establishes that the Auditor General (as defined in the State Constitution) shall generally be assigned to the Legislative Accountability Office unless otherwise directed or agreed by presiding officers.

• Transfers duties and authorities previously held by the Auditor General and OPPAGA to the new Legislative Accountability Office, including financial audits, operational audits, performance audits, and investigations of public fund expenditures.

• Adds definitions to Florida law for "Administrative Procedures Committee," "Legislative Auditing Committee," "Legislative Accountability Office," and "Office of Economic and Demographic Research" to apply throughout the statutes.