Bill Text: FL S1590 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Inspectors General

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2018-03-10 - Died in Governmental Oversight and Accountability [S1590 Detail]

Download: Florida-2018-S1590-Introduced.html
       Florida Senate - 2018                                    SB 1590
       
       
        
       By Senator Taddeo
       
       
       
       
       
       40-01408-18                                           20181590__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to inspectors general; amending s.
    3         14.32, F.S.; specifying that the Office of Chief
    4         Inspector General is a separate budget entity and
    5         housed within the Executive Office of the Governor for
    6         administrative purposes only; requiring that the Chief
    7         Inspector General be subject to Senate confirmation;
    8         providing that the Chief Inspector General may only be
    9         removed from office by the Governor for cause;
   10         amending s. 20.055, F.S.; specifying that the office
   11         of an agency inspector general is a separate budget
   12         entity from the state agency in which the office is
   13         established; providing an effective date.
   14          
   15  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   16  
   17         Section 1. Subsection (1) of section 14.32, Florida
   18  Statutes, is amended to read:
   19         14.32 Office of Chief Inspector General.—
   20         (1) There is created in the Executive Office of the
   21  Governor The Office of Chief Inspector General is created and
   22  housed within the Executive Office of the Governor for
   23  administrative purposes only. The office is a separate budget
   24  entity not subject to control, supervision, or direction by the
   25  Executive Office of the Governor in any manner, including, but
   26  not limited to, personnel, purchasing, transactions involving
   27  real or personal property, and budgetary matters. The Chief
   28  Inspector General is responsible for promoting accountability,
   29  integrity, and efficiency in the agencies under the jurisdiction
   30  of the Governor. The Chief Inspector General shall be appointed
   31  by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor and is subject to
   32  confirmation by the Senate. The Chief Inspector General may only
   33  be removed from office by the Governor for cause, including
   34  concerns regarding performance, malfeasance, misfeasance,
   35  misconduct, or failure to carry out his or her duties under this
   36  section. The Governor may not remove the Chief Inspector General
   37  from office for reasons related to the subject of, the scope of,
   38  or any conclusions or recommendations made from any audit or
   39  investigation undertaken. However, upon a change in Governors or
   40  reelection of the Governor, the Governor shall appoint, or may
   41  reappoint, a Chief Inspector General before adjournment sine die
   42  of the first regular session of the Legislature that convenes
   43  after such change in Governors or reelection of the Governor.
   44         Section 2. Subsection (2) of section 20.055, Florida
   45  Statutes, is amended to read:
   46         20.055 Agency inspectors general.—
   47         (2) An office of inspector general is established in each
   48  state agency to provide a central point for coordination of and
   49  responsibility for activities that promote accountability,
   50  integrity, and efficiency in government. An office of inspector
   51  general is a separate budget entity not subject to control,
   52  supervision, or direction in any manner by the state agency in
   53  which the office is established, including, but not limited to,
   54  personnel, purchasing, transactions involving real or personal
   55  property, and budgetary matters. It is the duty and
   56  responsibility of each inspector general, with respect to the
   57  state agency in which the office is established, to:
   58         (a) Advise in the development of performance measures,
   59  standards, and procedures for the evaluation of state agency
   60  programs.
   61         (b) Assess the reliability and validity of the information
   62  provided by the state agency on performance measures and
   63  standards, and make recommendations for improvement, if
   64  necessary, before submission of such information pursuant to s.
   65  216.1827.
   66         (c) Review the actions taken by the state agency to improve
   67  program performance and meet program standards and make
   68  recommendations for improvement, if necessary.
   69         (d) Provide direction for, supervise, and coordinate
   70  audits, investigations, and management reviews relating to the
   71  programs and operations of the state agency, except that when
   72  the inspector general does not possess the qualifications
   73  specified in subsection (4), the director of auditing shall
   74  conduct such audits.
   75         (e) Conduct, supervise, or coordinate other activities
   76  carried out or financed by that state agency for the purpose of
   77  promoting economy and efficiency in the administration of, or
   78  preventing and detecting fraud and abuse in, its programs and
   79  operations.
   80         (f) Keep the agency head or, for state agencies under the
   81  jurisdiction of the Governor, the Chief Inspector General
   82  informed concerning fraud, abuses, and deficiencies relating to
   83  programs and operations administered or financed by the state
   84  agency, recommend corrective action concerning fraud, abuses,
   85  and deficiencies, and report on the progress made in
   86  implementing corrective action.
   87         (g) Ensure effective coordination and cooperation between
   88  the Auditor General, federal auditors, and other governmental
   89  bodies with a view toward avoiding duplication.
   90         (h) Review, as appropriate, rules relating to the programs
   91  and operations of such state agency and make recommendations
   92  concerning their impact.
   93         (i) Ensure that an appropriate balance is maintained
   94  between audit, investigative, and other accountability
   95  activities.
   96         (j) Comply with the General Principles and Standards for
   97  Offices of Inspector General as published and revised by the
   98  Association of Inspectors General.
   99         Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2018.

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