Senate Bill No. 146, introduced by Senator Luneau, amends the authority of the legislative auditor in Louisiana regarding the examination, auditing, inspection, or copying of various records. The bill retains the existing provisions that allow the legislative auditor to access all forms of records, including confidential documents, while emphasizing the need to comply with legal restrictions on such records. Notably, the bill expands the auditor's authority to include documents deemed privileged, with specific exceptions for records that are subject to evidentiary privilege as outlined in the Code of Evidence or where access is explicitly prohibited by law.

The amendments to R.S. 24:513(I) clarify that while the legislative auditor can access privileged information, they must still adhere to legal limitations on confidential documents. This change aims to enhance the auditor's ability to perform their duties while ensuring that sensitive information is handled appropriately. The new provisions will take effect on August 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
SB146 Original: 24:513(I)
SB146 Engrossed: 24:513(I)