SB687: Clarifying Legislative Auditor's scope of authority

Legislative Summary

The purpose of this bill relates to the Legislative Auditor; establishing that auditor is responsible to Joint Committee on Government and Finance; clarifying that auditor may exercise powers at direction of Senate President or Speaker of House of Delegates; restating authority of auditor to inspect properties, equipment, and records; providing for distribution of copies of reports of examination and audit; prohibiting auditor from using external auditing entities to conduct audits except as directed by Senate President or Speaker; modifying obligations of auditor regarding budgetary matters; providing that committee has authority to hire employees to assist auditor in performance of obligations; clarifying hiring authority of committee; providing that auditor's reviews of departments and agencies are to be conducted at direction of Senate President or Speaker and that department presentations are to be made at Senate President's or Speaker's direction; eliminating requirement that agency and regulatory board reviews be conducted according to certain auditing standards; revising schedule of regulatory board reviews; and providing that regulatory board reviews may be conducted more frequently than statutorily scheduled.