SB2667_S_Amend

SECTION 1. Section 27-104-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-104-3. In addition to other powers and duties prescribed by statute, the Department of Finance and Administration shall have the following powers and duties, with regard to fiscal management:

(a) Provide direct technical assistance and training to state agencies and departments in implementing generally accepted accounting principles, in preparing financial statements as required by law, and in management and executive development.

(b) Provide temporary administrative services in financial accounting and public administration to any state agency, department or institution upon request of the governing board of the state agency, department or institution.

(c) Prepare and issue a comprehensive reference manual or manuals of policies and procedures for each state agency and department to use, which may include chapters on purchasing, personnel, payroll, travel, chart of accounts, fund classifications, receipts, warrants, expenditures, fixed assets, property inventory, and maintaining financial records and preparing financial reports as required and prescribed by law. The manual shall be revised on a continuing basis. The manual shall be prepared and revised in consultation with the State Auditor's office.

(d) Provide assistance to any state agency, department or institution in collecting a fee or other valid obligation that another agency, department or institution has failed to pay. For purposes of this paragraph, the agency, department or institution seeking to collect the funds shall be referred to as the "creditor agency," and the agency, department or institution that has not paid the creditor agency shall be referred to as the "delinquent agency." A valid obligation may be evidenced by an invoice or any other documentation as may be required by the Department of Finance and Administration, hereinafter referred to as the department. A creditor agency may request assistance from the department, and the department may require the creditor agency to furnish detailed information regarding the obligation. Upon determining that the delinquent agency owes the creditor agency a specific amount, the State Fiscal Officer shall pay to the creditor agency that amount out of any funds in the State Treasury to the credit of the delinquent agency during the current and subsequent fiscal years. The State Fiscal Officer shall notify the creditor agency and the delinquent agency of the total amount of funds transferred. Either agency may appeal the transfer of funds or the failure to transfer funds, under rules and regulations promulgated by the department and approved by the Office of the State Auditor.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.