The proposed bill establishes a comprehensive framework to address government waste and misconduct in Florida. It mandates the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, the Auditor General, and the Government Efficiency Task Force to collaborate on a report that investigates various state spending areas, including specific initiatives and programs. The report will identify instances of fraud, waste, and mismanagement, and will be submitted to key state officials, including the Governor and the Attorney General. The Attorney General is tasked with recovering identified funds, which will be redirected to the newly created Working Floridians Tax Rebate Program.
The Working Floridians Tax Rebate Program aims to provide financial relief to low- and moderate-income residents based on their eligibility for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. The program will be funded by moneys identified as being at risk of waste or recovered from previous losses. Eligible individuals or households must apply through the Department of Commerce and provide documentation of their Earned Income Tax Credit. The bill also allows for the adoption of emergency rules to implement the program and specifies that receipt of the rebate will not affect eligibility for other assistance programs. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and applies to the Earned Income Tax Credit granted from January 1, 2027, onward.