CS/CS/HB 7073 - Government Integrity (2018)

• Creates the Florida Accountability Office under the Auditor General to investigate fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and misconduct in state and local government, with complaints accepted from legislative leadership and the Auditor General.

• Expands inspector general investigative duties to require determinations within 6 months whether reasonable probability of wrongdoing exists, with ongoing determinations every 3 months, and mandatory reporting to the Chief Financial Officer within 30 days upon investigation closure.

• Establishes requirements for state contracts exceeding $50,000 to include good faith estimates of gross profit, prohibits registered legislative lobbyists from participating in contract negotiations, and prohibits tax incentives for state contractors.

• Requires detailed documentation of legal fee claims paid by state or local agencies, specifies whistleblower awards of 10% of savings (up to $50,000) for career employees and 5% (up to $1,000) for management, and mandates school districts over $500 million in annual funds to employ internal auditors.

• Effective date: July 1, 2018, with funding from Auditor General carryforward funds.