CS/HB 1047 Summary

• Creates the Florida Integrity Office under the Auditor General to investigate complaints of fraud, waste, abuse, gross mismanagement, and misconduct in state and local government, with authority to receive complaints from legislative leadership and the Auditor General.

• Requires inspectors general to make reasonable probability determinations within 6 months of initiating investigations and report findings to the Chief Financial Officer, with liable parties personally responsible for repayment of diverted or lost funds.

• Establishes whistleblower award requirements allowing career service employees to receive up to 10 percent of recovered savings (minimum $500, maximum $50,000 annually) and senior management employees to receive up to 5 percent (maximum $1,000 annually).

• Requires state contracts exceeding $50,000 awarded without competitive solicitation to include good faith estimates of gross profit, with contractors liable for three times any misrepresented amounts as liquidated damages; prohibits tax incentives for state contractors and registered legislative lobbyists from participating in contract negotiations.

• Effective July 1, 2019; authorizes use of Auditor General carryforward funds to establish the Florida Integrity Office.