Santos, Ind.-Rota, introduced House Bill 17-128 last week to propose the imposition of criminal and civil cases on any government official authorized by the budget law to spend public funds.
Noting the declining financial resources of the government, Santos said expenditure authorities should be more diligent when spending public funds.
Thus, they should be found criminally liable for any action detrimental to government funds or inaction to protect its limited financial resources, she said.
H.B. 17-128, she added, will compel all officials, elected or appointed, to spend money more diligently and responsibly.
“The expenditure authorities are public officials or employees that may spend, obligate, encumber or otherwise commit public funds,” the bill stated.
The actions of most public officials related to public funds, Santos said, “have distinct statutory process and obligations, along with resulting consequences for a failure to adhere to those standards.”
