State Rep. Dane Eagle, R-77, plans to hit the ground running when the 2017 Florida legislation session begins on March 7.

On Thursday, Eagle announced he had filed the first two bills on his legislative agenda for the 2017 regular session, both of which have the goal of enhancing government efficiency and accountability.

Eagle filed a bill regarding public assistance that will make revisions to the Temporary Aid to Needy Families program. Eagle introduced the bill last year, which died in committee in the state Senate after passing through the House.

Eagle said the goal is to encourage work, focus aid on the truly needy by strengthening eligibility, and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse.

Eagle said the bill would help eliminate fraud and ensure that tax dollars are only being spent on those who need it, not those gaming the system or who are able to support themselves.

“One of the reasons I ran for office four years ago was to infuse government accountability and eliminate waste in government in every aspect,” Eagle said. “There are cases in the welfare system where some are trying to prey on the needy and taking away tax dollars from you and me.

“We need to bridge the gap to self-sufficiency instead of perpetuating government dependence,” said Eagle.

The second bill would allow county property appraisers to reduce the assessed value of a residential property damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster under certain conditions.

This would allow Lee County Tax Appraiser Ken Wilkinson, who suggested this bill to Eagle, to give money back to Cape Coral and Fort Myers residents affected by the January tornadoes.

It also would aid Floridians affected by hurricanes Hermine and Matthew this past summer, which affected those in the Jacksonville area and the Panhandle, respectively.

“Some of these people still haven’t returned, as their homes are inhabitable. Now, they’re getting a bill for their property taxes and they didn’t even live in the home,” Eagle said. “It’s a slap in the face to people who were victims of Mother Nature.”

Wilkinson would be able to retroactively reduce the tax bill for those who couldn’t live in their homes and give them a refund.

Those who owe property taxes are still expected to pay the full amount. The refund would come, if the bill passes, after the deadline on paying property tax has passed.

Eagle said the objective is the reduce waste and bring fairness to those whose homes were destroyed through no fault of their own.

“We’re trying to reduce the burden on taxpayers. We’re reducing waste and fraud and making sure the burden on those who were affected by Mother Nature is lowered,” Eagle said.