The bill amends several sections of the North Dakota Century Code concerning the powers and duties of the state auditor, specifically regarding audits and associated charges. Key changes include the state auditor's authority to charge for audits conducted on federal funds, with the costs deposited into the general fund. Additionally, the bill modifies the frequency of audits for state agencies, mandating that each agency be audited every two to four years, while allowing for more frequent audits if requested by the governor or the legislative audit and fiscal review committee. The bill also establishes a new reporting requirement for the state auditor to provide quarterly updates to the legislative audit and fiscal review committee on various aspects of the audit process.

Furthermore, the bill revises the requirements for occupational and professional boards regarding audits. It allows boards with less than two million dollars in annual receipts to submit an annual report instead of undergoing a biannual audit, provided the report meets the state auditor's requirements. The state auditor retains the right to conduct additional examinations or audits as necessary and can charge boards for these services. The bill also stipulates that a political subdivision cannot pay for an audit until it has been accepted by the state auditor, although progress payments are permitted. Overall, these amendments aim to enhance the efficiency and accountability of the auditing process in North Dakota.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 54-10-01, 54-10-14, 54-10-19, 54-10-27
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 54-10-01, 54-10-14, 54-10-27