CS/CS/HB 1537 Summary

• Requires the executive director of the Department of Law Enforcement to be appointed by the Governor subject to a majority Cabinet vote (at least three affirmative votes) with the Governor and Attorney General on the prevailing side, and confirmed by the Senate.

• Requires the executive director of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to be appointed by the Governor subject to a majority Cabinet vote with the Governor on the prevailing side, confirmed by the Senate, and serving at the pleasure of the Governor and Cabinet.

• Requires the Secretary of Environmental Protection and executive director of the Department of Veterans' Affairs to be appointed by the Governor subject to a majority Cabinet vote with the Governor on the prevailing side, and confirmed by the Senate.

• Directs the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to contract for a comprehensive review of the Department of Law Enforcement, including assessments of crime laboratories, forensic analysis processes, programs by geographic area, case investigations, and cybersecurity matters.

• Requires the contractor to submit its review report to the Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, Commissioner of Agriculture, and Legislature by January 1, 2022; bill takes effect July 1, 2021.