The proposed bill, titled the Local Government Financial Transparency and Accountability Act, aims to enhance the transparency and accountability of local government budgets in Florida. It amends sections of the Florida Statutes to revise the timeframes for posting tentative and final budgets on county and municipal websites, increasing the duration for which these budgets must remain accessible to the public. Specifically, tentative budgets must be posted at least 14 days before public hearings and remain available for 45 days, while final budgets must be posted within 30 days of adoption and remain for at least five years. Additionally, the bill mandates that these budgets allow public access to various data formats, including searchable budget data, historical spending trends, and employee salary information. It also requires budget officers to conduct a budget-cutting exercise prior to final budget adoption, identifying reductions totaling 10% of the tentative budget.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new section that prohibits local governments from using public funds for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, including contracting with private vendors for related services. It establishes penalties for violations, including administrative fines that would be deposited into the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund. Local governments must certify compliance with this prohibition annually to the Chief Financial Officer, who is authorized to adopt rules and conduct evaluations. The bill aims to ensure that local government spending aligns with the stated objectives of financial transparency while restricting expenditures related to diversity and inclusion efforts. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 1566 Filed: 129.03, 129.06