Florida Lawmakers Propose New Government Commissioner Amid Lt. Governor Vacancy

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A proposed constitutional amendment filed Thursday in the Florida House aims to abolish the lieutenant governor’s office and establish a new role: commissioner of government efficiency. The legislation, introduced by House Majority Leader Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island, and Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, seeks to authorize the new commissioner to audit, investigate, and report on fraud, waste, and abuse within the executive branch, local governments, and special districts.

The legislative proposal comes at a pivotal time, with Florida currently vacant in the lieutenant governor position following Jeanette Nunez’s resignation last week to assume the interim presidency of Florida International University. Governor Ron DeSantis has indicated he will delay appointing a successor until after the upcoming legislative session starts next week.

If the proposal is passed by lawmakers, it would be placed on the ballot for Florida voters in 2026. The amendment stipulates that the Legislature must appoint a commissioner of government efficiency by March 2027, with the position remaining in place until elections in 2028.

Additionally, the amendment calls for the dissolution of the state Government Efficiency Task Force, a body established through a 2006 constitutional amendment. Governor DeSantis commented on the need for improved oversight, stating, “A new state DOGE task force will review approximately 900 state positions, university spending, and local government spending, as well as assess the necessity of about 70 state boards and commissions.”