Bill > S0730

This bill creates two new sections of Florida law that expand the role and powers of the clerk of the circuit court as a county auditor and potential county inspector general. The bill establishes that the clerk of the circuit court will serve as the county auditor with broad authority to inspect and audit county funds, including the ability to access records from various county agencies, issue subpoenas, and conduct different types of audits (financial, operational, performance). The county auditor can request records from multiple government entities, is required to publish audit reports, and has legal standing to pursue recovery of funds found to be unlawfully expended. Additionally, the bill allows the county auditor to obtain accreditation as a county inspector general, which provides further investigative powers, including conducting fraud, waste, and abuse investigations, coordinating complaint handling, maintaining a whistle-blower hotline, and acting as a liaison with outside agencies to promote accountability in county government. The bill also makes technical amendments to existing statutes regarding the clerk's responsibilities in signing warrants, clarifying that the clerk cannot sign warrants for illegal or unauthorized expenditures. These new provisions aim to enhance financial oversight and transparency in county government operations, giving the clerk of the circuit court more robust tools to prevent and investigate potential financial misconduct.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/730