A measure that would eliminate Florida’s lieutenant governor, restructure the state’s gubernatorial succession process, and establish a new Cabinet-level official responsible for government oversight advanced Tuesday as the House Government Operations Subcommittee voted 14-3 to approve House Joint Resolution 1325.

The proposed constitutional amendment, backed by Republican lawmakers, would repeal Section 2 of Article IV of the Florida Constitution, effectively abolishing the office of lieutenant governor. Under current law, the lieutenant governor serves as the governor’s second-in-command and assumes the governorship in cases of vacancy, impeachment, or incapacity. If the amendment is approved, gubernatorial succession would be determined by legislation rather than the constitution, with specific procedures to be outlined by state law.

The measure also creates a new position within Florida’s executive branch: the commissioner of government efficiency, who would be elected statewide and serve as a member of the Florida Cabinet alongside the attorney general, chief financial officer, and commissioner of agriculture. The new commissioner would be tasked with auditing, investigating, and reporting on fraud, waste, and inefficiency within the executive branch, as well as in counties, municipalities, and special districts. The position would absorb certain oversight responsibilities previously delegated to legislative committees and temporary task forces.

“We bring this amendment proposal forward in the spirit of the national conversation that is going on right now about reducing the size and scope of government, creating more efficiencies in our government operations, making sure that our citizens are well served and that the taxpayer dollars are well spent,” Rep. John Snyder told the committee.

The resolution further repeals the Government Efficiency Task Force, a panel convened every four years to review state operations and recommend cost-saving measures.

In addition to structural changes within the executive branch, HJR 1325 proposes several amendments to Florida’s budgeting and financial oversight procedures. The measure mandates a more detailed budget review process, requiring state agencies to align financial planning with long-term economic projections. It also tightens restrictions on the use of nonrecurring revenue for ongoing expenditures and mandates a 72-hour public review period before final votes on the state budget.

If approved by the Legislature, the amendment would be placed on the 2026 general election ballot, requiring at least 60% voter approval to take effect. The proposal also includes a sunset provision, requiring a voter referendum in 2044 to determine whether the commissioner of government efficiency should remain a permanent position. If voters choose to repeal it, the office would be eliminated by December 31, 2046, with all references to the commissioner removed from the constitution.