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 documents. Notably, the bill expands the auditor's authority to include the examination of documents deemed privileged, with specific exceptions for records protected by 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 records, they must still adhere to any legal restrictions on confidential information. This change aims to enhance the auditor's oversight capabilities while ensuring that sensitive information is handled appropriately. The provisions of this bill will take effect on August 1, 2024.

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