Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] mandates a one-time performance audit of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, to be conducted by the Legislative Audit Division. The audit will assess the funding sources, financial management, and operational functions of the office over the past decade. The legislative auditor is tasked with planning the audit based on identified risks and ensuring that the objectives align with industry standards. Importantly, the costs associated with the audit will be covered by the judicial branch, and the final report is required to be presented to the Legislative Audit Committee by December 15, 2026, with subsequent distribution to relevant legislative committees and publication on the audit division's website.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 5-13-102 of the Montana Code Annotated to include "entities created by an order of or subject to supervision by the Montana supreme court" in the definition of "state agency." This change broadens the scope of entities that fall under the legislative audit's jurisdiction, ensuring that the Office of Disciplinary Counsel is subject to the same oversight as other state agencies.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 5-13-102
SB0014_1(1): 5-13-102
SB0014_1(2): 5-13-102
SB0014_1(3): 5-13-102
SB0014_1(4): 5-13-102
SB0014_1(5): 5-13-102
SB0014_1(6): 5-13-102
SB0014_1: 5-13-102