Senate Bill 2314

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 25-65-19, 25-65-21 AND 25-65-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT THE FINAL AUDIT REPORT PREPARED AFTER AN INTERNAL AUDIT OF A UNIVERSITY, COMMUNITY/JUNIOR COLLEGE OR STATE AGENCY, ANY FOLLOW-UP REPORT, AND THE ANNUAL REPORT ABOUT THOSE INTERNAL AUDITS BE PROVIDED TO THE STATE AUDITOR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 25-65-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-65-19. (1) At the conclusion of each audit, the internal audit director shall submit preliminary findings and recommendations to the person responsible for supervision of the program, activity, function or organizational unit being audited who shall respond in writing to any findings of the internal audit director within forty-five (45) working days or less at the discretion of the university president or chancellor, the community/junior college president or state agency director after receipt of the findings. Such response and, if necessary, the agency internal audit director's response may be included in the final audit report.

(2) University, community/junior college or the agency internal audit director shall submit the final report * * *~~, whichshall be available~~ to the State Auditor and, upon request, to the head of the university, community/junior college or agency * * *~~and the State Auditor~~.

SECTION 2. Section 25-65-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-65-21. (1) No later than six (6) months or less at the discretion of the university president or chancellor, the community/junior college president or state agency director after a financial, compliance, electronic data processing or performance audit is issued, the agency internal audit director shall inform the university president or chancellor, the community/junior college president or the agency head and audit committee of the status of corrective actions taken by the university, community/junior college or agency manager responsible for supervision of the program, activity, function or organizational unit audited.

(2) If a follow-up report is issued, the university, community/junior college or agency internal audit director shall submit the report to the head of the university, community/junior college or agency and the audit committee. The follow-up report shall be provided to the State Auditor and, upon request to any member of the Legislature, * * *~~the State Auditor,~~ the Attorney General, the Governor or other external auditor.

SECTION 3. Section 25-65-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-65-31. Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year, the university, community/junior college or agency internal audit director shall issue an annual report which separately lists audit reports issued, and other activities completed or in progress as of the end of the fiscal year. The annual report shall describe accomplishments of the internal audit activities. Copies of the report shall be provided to the State Auditor, the governing board or commission and the university president or chancellor, the community/junior college president or the agency head and the audit committee. The annual report shall be provided upon request to * * *~~the State Auditor or~~ any other external auditor.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.