House Bill 5009 amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance government accountability and oversight, particularly focusing on the establishment of the Florida Accountability Office. This new office will be responsible for conducting audits, reviews, and investigations of governmental entities to improve fiscal transparency and operational efficiency. The bill introduces several divisions within the office, each with specific responsibilities, and outlines the appointment process for key positions. It also revises the requirements for legislative employees regarding outside employment, necessitating permission from presiding officers, and updates the duties of the Legislative Auditing Committee to include the authority to withhold funds from non-compliant entities.

Additionally, the bill enhances the auditing framework by transferring responsibilities from the Auditor General to the Florida Accountability Office, which will now conduct operational and compliance audits starting January 1, 2026. It specifies the authority of the office to conduct audits of local governmental entities and mandates that these entities provide evidence of corrective actions in response to audit findings. The bill also strengthens whistleblower protections, ensuring confidentiality for individuals reporting violations, and modifies the legislative budget request process to improve efficiency and accountability. Overall, HB 5009 aims to create a more robust system for oversight and transparency in Florida's government operations.

Statutes affected:
H 5009 Filed: 11.26, 11.40, 11.42, 11.45, 11.47, 14.32, 112.3188, 216.011, 216.134, 216.177, 216.192, 216.231, 216.262, 252.36, 20.055, 760.06