Budget Transparency Legislation Implementation
During the 2009 Legislative session, CS/CS/SB 1796 by Sen. Alexander (CS/CS/HB 0971 by Rep. Hukill) was passed and signed into law on May 27, 2009 by Governor Crist.
This bill requires a website to be established for public access to government entity financial information. The initial phase will include appropriations data and expenditure data for all branches of state government. The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee will oversee the website and will propose additional phases of information to be made available. The committee will provide a proposal by March 1, 2010, to be submitted to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate, that will include a schedule of additional phases of information by the type of information to be provided for specific governmental entities, including local government units, community colleges, state universities and other government entities that receive state appropriations. The proposal will include timeframes for additional phases as well as a proposed development entity for the additional information.
The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee has begun work on developing its report concerning the implementation of this legislation with regard to local governments and other units of government. The committee is facilitating several various workgroup meetings to garner input and feedback with regards to impact of potential implementations strategies. FAC, along with selected county government representatives, is currently participating in the local government workgroup along with the Florida League of Cities, and representatives from special districts.
Truth in Millage (TRIM)
During the 2009 Legislative session, SB 0752 by Sen. Richter (0701 by Rep. Hudson) was passed and signed into law on June 11, 2009 by Governor Crist.
This bill revises the form of the Notice of Proposed Property Taxes, or commonly referred to as the “TRIM Notice”, to include additional information relating to past and proposed millage rates and ad valorem taxes and assessment reductions and exemptions. The bill incorporates some suggestions provided in a recent report published by the Department of Revenue in January of 2009 regarding the effect of recent property tax law changes on the Truth in Millage process.
The bill becomes effective on January 1, 2010.