The bill amends West Virginia Code §8-15-7a to update the auditing process for volunteer fire companies. It grants the West Virginia Legislative Auditor the authority to conduct financial reviews of these companies at least once every five years, while allowing for more frequent audits if there are concerns about financial mismanagement. The scope of these audits includes a comprehensive review of all income, assets, liabilities, and expenditures of the volunteer fire companies. Additionally, the Legislative Auditor is tasked with implementing internal policies to manage audit costs and is required to report any suspicious financial activities to the State Auditor for further investigation.

A significant change introduced by the bill is the provision that allows volunteer fire companies to submit their audit documentation electronically, provided that they have established adequate security measures and encryption to protect the integrity of their financial data. This modernization aims to streamline the audit process while ensuring the security of sensitive financial information.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-15-7a
Committee Substitute: 8-15-7a
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 8-15-7a