HB 1585 Summary - Government Accountability

• Creates the Florida Integrity Office under the Auditor General to investigate fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and misconduct in state and local government, with the Florida Integrity Officer appointed by the Auditor General.

• Establishes complaint procedures allowing the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, appropriations committee chairs, and the Auditor General to submit complaints for investigation; officer must determine within 6 months if reasonable probability of wrongdoing exists.

• Requires inspector generals to report fraud/waste/abuse findings to the Florida Integrity Officer and Chief Financial Officer within 30 days, with violators personally liable for repayment of diverted or lost funds.

• Authorizes whistleblower awards for state employees reporting under the Whistle-blower's Act resulting in public fund recovery exceeding $1,000; career service employees receive up to 10% of savings (max $50,000/year) and senior management employees receive up to 5% (max $1,000/year).

• Prohibits state employees registered to lobby the Legislature from participating in contract negotiations or awards funded by specific legislative appropriations, and bars tax incentives from being awarded to state contractors or subcontractors.