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 posting requirements for tentative and final budgets on county and municipal websites, increasing the posting duration from 2 to 14 days prior to public hearings and requiring these budgets to remain accessible for at least 5 years. Additionally, the bill mandates that budgets allow public access to various data formats, including downloadable financial data and graphical representations. It also requires county and municipal budget officers to conduct a budget-cutting exercise to identify reductions totaling 10% of the tentative budget before final adoption.

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. Local governments must certify compliance with this prohibition annually to the Chief Financial Officer, who is authorized to impose administrative fines for violations. The fines collected will be deposited into the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund. The bill also specifies the definition of "diversity, equity, and inclusion" and outlines the types of expenditures that are not permitted under this definition. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 1329 Filed: 129.03, 129.06