Now, lawmakers are considering giving Gov. Rick Scott the authority to appoint the judges, who would also be limited to serving a maximum of eight years — unless they get fired by the governor.
The proposed overhaul, which has remained under the radar, would essentially give Scott control over the judges who decide whether the governor’s agencies are acting properly.
Proponents maintain that the changes would instill “transparency and accountability” into the administrative hearing process, while critics contend the revamp could potentially allow agencies to run roughshod over the public.
House bill sponsor Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, told the House Oversight, Transparency & Administration Subcommittee this week that administrative law judges, hired by the agency’s chief judge and treated as career-service employees, effectively serve lifetime terms, regardless of their performance.
“There’s no turnover whatsoever. There’s no accountability. There’s no election process,” Fitzenhagen said before the panel’s 12-3 vote in favor of the measure (HB 1225). “What we’re endeavoring to do here is create more transparency and accountability.”
