FL S0270

Transfers the Office of Chief Inspector General from the Executive Office of the Governor to be housed there for administrative purposes only, with the Chief Inspector General nominated by the Governor and approved by the Cabinet instead of serving at the Governor's pleasure.

Expands the Chief Inspector General's authority to oversee all agency inspectors general, including cabinet agencies, and establishes procedures for appointment and removal of agency inspectors general by the Chief Inspector General with agency head consent.

Requires agency inspectors general to be certified by the Association of Inspectors General, establish internal and external complaint procedures, include at least one sworn law enforcement officer on staff, and submit final investigation reports and annual reports to both the agency head and Chief Inspector General.

Authorizes the Chief Inspector General to determine whether investigations compromising agency head notification should be reported to the Governor and Cabinet, with special provisions allowing the Department of Law Enforcement inspector general to consult the Chief Inspector General before reporting suspected criminal acts.

Expands the Whistle-blower's Act definition of "independent contractor" to include anyone receiving public funds, permits employees whose disclosures result in fund recovery to receive up to 15 percent of recovered amounts, and requires agency inspector generals to conduct periodic audits of purchasing card use.