MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2023 Regular Session

To: Corrections

By: Representatives Currie, Ladner

House Bill 547

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 47-5-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND TITLE OF THE CORRECTIONAL AUDITOR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 47-5-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     47-5-35.  The Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) shall * * * appoint make available an * * * auditor analyst to * * * audit review and monitor the correctional system * * *, and provide sufficient office facilities in the Jackson office, who shall be a certified public accountant or an experienced accountant, whose duty shall be to * * * audit all accounts of the state correctional system for the purpose of reporting to the Legislative Budget Office monitor the financial condition of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of its programs and operations. * * *He shall report whether supplies and products bought and sold are handled in accordance with law and when bought on samples and specifications whether they measure up to such samples and specifications when the goods are received.  The auditor shall report on the letting of bids and shall make a determination that all bids are advertised and let in accordance with law and shall render a report on same.  The auditor shall be responsible to make a periodic inventory on all goods, machinery, livestock, farm produce or any other property of the correctional system and make a report thereon to the Legislative Budget Office on such terms and conditions and as often as required by the committee.  The salaries and expenses of such auditor or his employees shall be paid from funds appropriated for support of the Legislature or its committees. Duties of the analyst for the correctional system shall include:  review and monitor the financial condition of MDOC, including, but not limited to, the overall budget, agency expenditures and available revenues; review and monitor the procurement processes of MDOC, including contracts, reporting, record keeping and bid requirements to ensure compliance with state law and procurement best practices; evaluate the programs and operation of the department for efficiency and effectiveness in use of available resources; and analyze data produced by the MDOC date-management systems.  In addition, the analyst must review and evaluate any issues with or pertaining to the correctional system as requested by either the chairpersons of the Corrections Committees of the Senate or House, or by the PEER Committee.

 * * *Such auditor shall The analyst must make, at least, a * * * monthly quarterly report to the Legislative Budget Office and the Chairman of the Corrections Committees of the Senate and * * * the Chairman of the Penitentiary Committee in the House of Representatives regarding the financial condition and procurement processes of MDOC.  The analyst must also make periodic reports to the Chairpersons of the Corrections Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and to the PEER Committee regarding the programs and operations of the correctional system, as well as any other related issues, as requested.

 * * *The auditor shall attend all the meetings of the board and shall be notified by the board of all meetings or specially called meetings.  The Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review shall provide the auditor with a secretary and such personnel as it deems necessary.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.

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