SRC-VRA S.B. 19 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 19
By: Ratliff
Government Organization
4/22/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current law mandates that the State Auditor's Office perform numerous
audits regularly.  As proposed, S.B. 19 amends current law to remove the
requirement that the State Auditor's Office (SAO) perform audits and
grants SAO permissive authority to perform these audits.  Likewise, the
bill requires SAO to perform a risk assessment and requires approval by
the Legislative Audit Committee prior to work being performed.  Finally,
the bill deletes provisions related to task forces no longer in existence
and other obsolete provisions.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 320.001, Government Code, to delete the
definition of "interagency work group." 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 321.001, Government Code, to define "audit
plan" and "risk assessment." 

SECTION 3.  Amends Subsection (a), Section 321.012, Government Code, to
require the Legislative Audit Committee (committee) to approve the State
Auditor's (SAO) appropriation requests and audit plan. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 321.013, Government Code, by amending
Subsections (c) and (f) and adding Subsection (j) as follows: 

(c)  Requires the audit plan to provide for the auditing of federal
programs at least as often as required under federal law, rather than once
in each fiscal biennium.  

(f)  Authorizes SAO to conduct financial audits with specific authority
from the committee. 

(j)  Requires SAO, in devising the audit plan under Subsection (c), to
perform risk assessments as required by law.  Provides that the process of
assessing risks to the state is the first stage of auditing, and all
records of risk assessment are part of the working papers of SAO.
Provides that accordingly, all documentation of risk assessments by SAO is
exempt from disclosure under Section 552.116. 

SECTION 5.  Amends Subsections (b) and (g), Section 321.014, Government
Code, as follows: 

(b)  Requires written reports to include recommendations for improving
financial operations.  

(g)  Requires the department or entity, if a department or entity does not
agree with a finding or a recommendation contained in the state auditor's
report, rather than implementing a change in the state auditor's report,
to file a report with the persons  specified by Subsection (c).  Requires
the report to contain certain information. 

SECTION 6.  Amends Section 325.008, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(c) to prohibit SAO, in consulting with the Sunset Commission, from
exceeding the number of hours approved by the committee for the inclusion
in the audit plan under Section 321.013(c). 

SECTION 7.  Amends Subsection (b), Section 325.012, Government Code, to
authorize, rather than require, SAO, based on a risk assessment and
subject to the committee's approval of including the examination in the
audit plan under Section 321.013, to include, as part of the next
approved, rather than scheduled, audit of the agency a report on whether
the agency has implemented the recommendations, and if so, in what manner. 

SECTION 8.  Amends Subsection (d), Section 326.003, Government Code, to
require the committee, not later than one month after the date of a
meeting, to submit its recommendations in writing to the members of the
committee. 

SECTION 9.  Amends Section 403.028, Government Code, by amending
Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (f), as follows: 

(a)  Requires the comptroller of public accounts, except as provided by
Subsection (f), to conduct a study each biennium to determine certain
types of fraudulent claims submitted under Medicaid.  

(f)  Authorizes SAO, based on a risk assessment and subject to the
committee's approval of including SAO's advisory function in the audit
plan under Section 321.013, to advise the comptroller in its conduct of
the study required under Subsection (a).  

SECTION 10.  Amends Subsection (c), Section 403.031, Government Code, to
remove SAO from required work performed with the comptroller to classify
receivables as uncollectible. Provides that such work is permissive and
subject to SAO's risk assessment and the committee's approval. 

SECTION 11.  Amends Section 403.250, Government Code, to clarify that
audits of agency petty cash accounts are permissive, subject to SAO risk
assessment, and the committee's approval. 

SECTION 12.  Amends Subsection (b), Section 403.272, Government Code, to
remove the SAO's involvement in the comptroller's devising of an
accountability system for personal property owned by the state.  Provides
that SAO retains ability to audit the system, subject to SAO risk
assessment and the committee's approval. 

SECTION 13.  Amends Subsection (h), Section 403.273, Government Code, to
change from mandatory to permissive, subject to SAO risk assessment and
the committee's approval, the SAO's examination of property records or
inventory. 

SECTION 14.  Amends Subsections (c) and (d), Section 441.185, Government
Code, to clarify that SAO audit of record retention schedules is
permissive, subject to SAO risk assessment and the committee's approval. 

SECTION 15.  Amends Section 441.203, Government  Code, by adding
Subsection (k) to clarify that SAO's hours expended participating on the
Records Management Interagency Coordinating Council is subject to approval
by the committee. 

SECTION 16.  Amends Subsection (d), Section 445.012, Government Code,  to
change from mandatory to permissive, subject to SAO risk assessment and
the committee's approval, the SAO audit of the Bob Bullock museum fund. 

SECTION 17.  Amends Section 651.007, Government Code, by amending
Subsections (b) through (e), (g), and (h) and adding Subsection (j),
relating to employee exit interviews to allow employees to submit the
questionnaire to either the agency, SAO or governor's office to make  the
questionnaire confidential to the entity chosen by the employee to receive
the questionnaire and to eliminate the requirement that SAO submit a
report prior to each legislative session summarizing the findings of the
exit interview.  Prohibits agency access to the questionnaire unless
provided to the agency by the employee. 

SECTION 18.  Amends Section 654.037, Government Code,  to change SAO
reporting requirements regarding state employee salaries from reporting
recommendations for adjustments to state salary ranges to reporting only
findings from their periodic studies of salary rates. 

SECTION 19.  Amends Section 654.041, Government Code, subjecting agency
compliance with chapter on Position Classification to SAO audit to clarify
that such audits are permissive, subject to SAO risk assessment and the
committee's approval. 

SECTION 20.  Amends Subsections (b) and (c), Section 660.030, Government
Code,  to remove SAO from the requirement that it audit agency travel
expenses.  Requires such responsibility to be left to the comptroller. 

SECTION 21.  Amends Section 751.011, Government Code, to delete Subsection
(b) from existing text and provide conforming language due to repeal of
Section 751.012, requiring SAO to establish a salary schedule for state
employees subject to an interagency contract. 

SECTION 22.  Amends Subsection (d), Section 813.506, Government Code, to
repeal the requirement that SAO biennially review accuracy of the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) reports submitted to the retirement
system. 

SECTION 23.  Amends Section 2052.104, Government Code, to delete the
requirement that SAO adopt rules regarding the manner in which a report
must be made under Section 2052.103. Changes from quarterly to annually
the number of times agencies and SAO are required to report information
and requires SAO work performed to be subject to the committee's approval. 

SECTION 24.  Amends Subsection (a), Section 2054.060, Government Code, to
repeal the requirement that rules relating to digital signature be
adopted, since that has been done, while still requiring the use of
digital signatures to comply with the adopted rules. 

SECTION 25.  Amends Subsections (a) and (b), Section 2054.123, Government
Code, to require the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR), in
consultation with the Texas Building and Procurement Commission (TBPC),
SAO and the comptroller, to coordinate, as opposed to establish, training
programs related to software training.  Requires the 20 agencies which
spend the most on software to utilize that training. 

SECTION 26.  Amends Subsection (b), Section 2054.253, Government Code, to
require that SAO advisement of the Texas Online Authority is subject to
the committee's approval. 

SECTION 27.  Amends Section 2055.056, Government Code, to clarify that SAO
work regarding quality assurance services to monitor electronic project is
subject to the committee's approval. 

SECTION 28.  Amends Section 2055.057, Government Code, to clarify that SAO
work related to development of a model for funding the Electronic
Government Program Management Office is subject to the committee's
approval. 

SECTION 29.  Amends Section 2055.101, Government Code, by amending
Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection (d) to clarify that SAO work
related to developing selection criteria for the type of electronic
government projects that require oversight by the Electronic Government
Program Management Office is subject to the committee's approval. 

SECTION 30.  Amends Section 2055.151, Government Code, by adding
Subsection (e) to clarify that SAO hours expended participating on the
Electronic Government Program Management Office Advisory Committee is
subject to the committee's approval. 
 
SECTION 31.  Amends Section 2055.153, Government Code, by amending
Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to clarify that SAO work related
to establishing a state agency reporting system for electronic government
projects is subject to the committee's approval. 

SECTION 32.  Amends Section 2102.012, Government Code, to clarify that SAO
hours spent related to the requirement that the SAO coordinate program of
training and technical assistance to internal auditor is subject to the
committee's approval. 

SECTION 33.  Amends Section 2104.0215, Government Code, by adding
Subsection (e) to clarify that hours expended related to a state agency
rehabilitation plan are subject to the committee's approval. 

SECTION 34.  Amends Section 2156.004, Government Code, to repeal the
requirement that TBPC, in cooperation with SAO, establish and maintain a
record of each bid deposit and its disposition as TBPC does not collect
bid deposits.  Provides the ability of  TBPC to require a bid deposit. 

SECTION 35.  Amends Subsection (d), Section 2161.123, Government Code, to
clarify that the requirement that SAO "periodically monitor state agency
compliance" with HUB requirements does not mean annual audits and could
mean random audits. 

SECTION 36.  Amends Subsection (b), Section 2161.124, Government Code, to
remove the SAO from the requirement to work with TBPC to develop a
standard form for reports submitted by agencies each fiscal year
documenting progress in increasing HUB use. 

SECTION 37.  Amends Section 2175.061, by amending Subsection (b) and
adding Subsection (c) to clarify that SAO review of TBPC procedures for
dealing with surplus or salvage property is subject to the committee's
approval. 

SECTION 38. Amends Section 2177.003, Government Code, to remove SAO from
the Electronic Procurement Advisory Committee.  

SECTION 39.  Amends Subsections (a) and (c), Section 2205.004, Government
Code, to remove SAO from the State Aircraft Pooling Board (SAPB). 

SECTION 40.  Amends Subsection (n), Section 2256.005, Government Code, to
clarify that SAO compilation and review of state agency investment
policies is subject to the committee's approval. 

SECTION 41.  Amends Section 2256.022, Government Code, to clarify that SAO
work related to expansion of agency investment authority is subject to the
committee's approval. 

SECTION 42.  Amends Section  2261.203, Government Code, to repeal the
requirement that SAO assist a state agency's monitoring of contract
performance. 

SECTION 43.  Amends Subsection (a), Section 2262.051, Government Code, to
ensure that SAO hours spent relative to the creation and update of a
contract management guide are subject to the committee's approval. 

SECTION 44.  Amends Subsection (b), Section 2262.052, Government Code, to
clarify that the SAO's monitoring of compliance with the contract
management guide is subject to the committee's approval. 

SECTION 45.  Amends Section 2262.053, Government Code, by adding
Subsection (d) to move from SAO to TBPC the responsibility to administer
the contract manager training program once it is established. 

SECTION 46.  Amends Subsection (a), Section 2306.074, Government Code, to
clarify that if the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
(TDHCA) requests SAO to perform  its annual financial audit, the committee
must approve it. 

SECTION 47.  Amends Subsection (b), Section 16.142, Water Code, to change
from mandatory to permissive, subject to SAO risk assessment and the
committee's approval, the requirement that SAO audit fees charged by the
Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). 

SECTION 48.  Amends Subsection (b), Section 20.020, Water Code, to remove
the Texas Water Development Board's requirement to have an annual audit
and give SAO permissive authority, subject to the SAO risk assessment and
the committee's approval, to audit TWDB. 

SECTION 49.  Amends Subsection (b), Section 36.061, Water Code, to
authorize SAO to audit the records, as opposed to the financial
transactions of a groundwater conservation district. 

SECTION 50.  Amends Section 36.153, Water Code, to give SAO more
flexibility in the scope and timing of groundwater conservation district
audits, by making them permissive, subject to the SAO's risk assessment
and the committee's approval. 

SECTION 51.  Amends Subsections (b), (c), and (d), Section 36.302, Water
Code, to require that SAO audits of groundwater conservation districts are
subject to the committee's approval of their inclusion in the audit plan. 

SECTION 52.  Amends Section 49.195, Water Code, by amending Subsection (b)
and adding Subsection (f) to require SAO assistance to the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for review of groundwater
district audits to be subject to the committee's approval of its inclusion
in the audit plan. 

SECTION 53.  Amends Subsection (b), Section 152.203, Water Code, to change
the requirement that a river authority file a copy of its appraisal with
SAO to require it to be filed with TCEQ. 

SECTION 54. Amends Subsection (h), Section 22.004, Education Code, to
require an audited financial statement to be made in accordance with
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, as opposed to in accordance with
rules adopted by SAO, since the SAO does not adopt rules. 

SECTION 55.  Amends Subsection (q), Section 42.152, Education Code, to
reflect that a rule for reporting and auditing district and campus
expenditures of compensatory education funds has been implemented and take
out SAO involvement. 

SECTION 56.  Amends Subsection (e), Section 43.006, Education Code, to
clarify that an annual financial audit of the PSF by the SAO is subject to
the committee's approval. 

SECTION 57.  Amends Section 102.52, Education Code, to remove a
requirement that the disbursement of funds by the West Texas State
University Foundation be subject to accounting procedures approved by SAO,
to remove conflict if SAO later audits those disbursements. 

SECTION 58.  Amends Subsection (c), Section 130.0035, Education Code, to
remove the requirement that SAO consult in the development of standards
for reports relating to junior college districts and changes requirement
that the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) "develop" standards  to "be
responsible for recommending" standards. 

SECTION 59.  Amends Subsection (a), Section 21.455, Labor Code, to repeal
the requirement that SAO determine the actual expenses incurred by the
Texas Workforce Commission in conducting a review of personnel policies.  

SECTION 60.  Amends Subsection (e), Section 21.556, Labor Code, to
eliminate the requirement that SAO assist the Human Rights Commission
(HRC) in determining and approving HRC's cost of providing a training
program and gives SAO permissive authority, subject to the SAO risk
assessment and the committee's approval, to audit the cost charged. 

SECTION 61.  Amends Subsection (d), Section 205.019, Labor Code, to change
from mandatory  to permissive, subject to the SAO risk assessment and the
committee's approval, SAO's authority to review agency compliance with
reimbursement requirements and ties the authority to the funds, as opposed
to the entities. 

SECTION 62.  Amends Subsection (d), Section 506.002, Labor Code, to change
from mandatory to permissive, subject to the SAO risk assessment and the
committee's approval, the SAO's authority to review agency compliance with
reimbursement requirements and ties the authority to the funds, as opposed
to the entities. 

SECTION 63.  Amends Subsection (a),Section 140.007, Local Government Code,
to remove SAO  from participation in promulgation of forms and
instructions for cost accounting for public improvements. 

SECTION 64.  Amends Subsection (e), Section 391.0095, Local Government
Code, to clarify that SAO audit of regional planning commissions is
permissive, subject to SAO risk assessment and the committee's approval. 

SECTION 65.  Amends Subsection (a), Section 11.0031, Health and Safety
Code, to require the Texas Sunset Commission to review the extent to which
an agency has responded to, as opposed to implemented, recommendations
made by SAO. 

SECTION 66.  Amends Subsection (b), Section 11.017, Health and Safety
Code, to change from mandatory to permissive, subject to SAO risk
assessment and the committee's approval, the requirement that SAO audit
the financial transactions of the Texas Board of Health. 

SECTION 67.  Amends Subsection (b), Section 242.005, Health and Safety
Code, to require LBB to prescribe the form and contents of performance
reports required of the Texas Department of Health and the attorney
general.  Provides that SAO participation is permissive, subject to the
committee's approval. 

SECTION 68.  Amends Subsection (b), Section 451.452, Transportation Code,
to clarify that SAO's authority to review and comment on audits submitted
by rapid transit authorities is permissive, subject to SAO risk assessment
and the committee's approval. 

SECTION 69.  Amends Subsection (b), Section 452.452, Transportation Code,
to clarify that SAO's authority to review and comment on audits submitted
by regional transportation authorities is permissive, subject to SAO risk
assessment and the committee's approval. 

SECTION 70.  Amends Section 58.017, Agriculture Code, to remove SAO from
the requirement to assist the Board of the Texas Agricultural Finance
Authority to develop performance measures regarding its loan programs. 

SECTION 71.  Amends Article 60.02, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding
Subsection (m), to clarify that SAO's authority to audit the Criminal
Justice Policy Council is permissive, subject to SAO risk assessment and
the committee's approval. 

SECTION 72.  Amends Subsection (d), Section 231.011, Family Code, as added
by Chapter 556, Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999, to
remove SAO and the State Council on Competitive Governments and require
the agencies to comply in identifying child support services that are with
their core competency and require the work group to develop strategies to
obtain child support services from the agencies. 

SECTION 73.  Amends Subsection (d), Section 11.0182, Parks and Wildlife
Code, to change from mandatory to permissive, subject to SAO risk
assessment and the committee's approval, the requirement that SAO
biennially audit the fund-raising activities of the Parks and Wildlife
Department. 

SECTION 74.  Repeals the following:

 (1)  Sections 320.002, 481.123, 552.010, 659.2552, 751.012, 772.0031,
2155.071, 2170.006, and 2176.108, Government Code; 
  
(2)  Subsection (g), Section 2155.067, Subsection (l), Section 2155.083,
and Subsection (e), Section 2155.144, Government Code; 
  
   (3)  Article 24.21, Insurance Code;
   
   (4)  Subsection (d), Section 302.057, Occupations Code; and
  
(5)  Section 4, Chapter 314, Acts of the 45th Legislature, Regular
Session, 1937 (Article 6144cc, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes). 

SECTION 75.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.