MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Representative Green

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 7-7-215, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ABOLISH THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AUDIT BE REQUIRED TO FILE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS IN THE OFFICE TO WHICH THEY PERTAIN, MAKE THEM SUBJECT TO PUBLIC INSPECTION OR PRESERVE COPIES FOR THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 7-7-215, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

7-7-215. Upon the completion of each audit * * *, the department shall prepare a report which shall set forth the facts of such audit * * * in the most comprehensive form, and the original copy of such report shall be filed in the office to which it pertains, as a permanent record; one (1) copy thereof shall be filed in the office of the department, subject to public inspection, and one (1) copy shall be preserved for use by the Governor and/or the Legislature. Other provisions notwithstanding, all work papers associated with an audit shall be confidential until the audit fieldwork has been completed and the chief executive officer of the entity being audited has been notified of any findings or exceptions. The director shall require such financial reports from every public office and taxing body as he may deem necessary and for such period as he may designate, and at the end of each fiscal year the State Auditor and director shall prepare and publish a report of comparative financial statistics covering all public offices of the state over which the department has accounting and auditing supervision. The Governor may direct the State Auditor and/or the director of the department to make any special report on any subject under their jurisdiction and make any special audit or investigation he may desire, such directives to be issued in writing.

All audits conducted by the department shall be in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, as promulgated by nationally recognized professional organizations. Audit and investigative reports, work papers and other evidence and related supportive material shall be retained and filed according to an agreement between the State Auditor and the Department of Archives and History. In conducting audits pursuant to this article, the department shall have access to all records, documents, books, papers and other evidence relating to the financial transactions of any governmental entity subject to audit by the department.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.