HB27 Alabama 2015 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John F. Knight Jr

Democrat

Session

First Special Session 2015

Title

Joint Legislative Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability, created, membership, powers and duties, Sec. 41-19-10 am'd.

Summary

The bill would create a permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Taxpayer Accountability to monitor state spending and budgets, with authority to request audits, issue reports, and oversee expenditure decisions.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a permanent committee with specified members and co-chairs that can review state expenditures and budget requests, hold public hearings, and recommend actions to the Legislature. The committee can direct audits through the Chief Examiner of Public Accounts and must be consulted before the Department of Finance can modify or withhold planned expenditures. It also requires Governor notice for certain interagency agreements and mandates cooperation from state agencies in providing information. The committee is designed to operate with monthly meetings and annual public reporting on its activities.

Who It Affects

• State agencies, departments, boards, commissions, authorities, and other entities receiving Legislative appropriations must cooperate, provide documents, and allow audits and reviews by the committee.
• The Governor and Department of Finance are subject to oversight and notice requirements regarding expenditure modifications and interagency agreements, influencing how budget changes are made.

Key Provisions

• Creates a permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Taxpayer Accountability with specific membership, including chairs of certain House and Senate committees and four members from each chamber.
• Provides for reimbursement of members' expenses and establishes co-chairs who alternate leadership every two years.
• Empowers the committee to review expenditures, analyze budget proposals, hold public hearings, evaluate efficiency, and direct the Chief Examiner of Public Accounts to conduct audits.
• Requires the Department of Finance to give notice to the committee before modifying or withholding planned expenditures and requires Governor notice for certain interagency agreements.
• Amends Section 41-19-10 to strengthen oversight of agency operations, including planning, budgeting, interagency transfers, and reporting to the Legislature with the committee's involvement.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Legislature