HB540 Alabama 2017 Session

This bill would substantially revise the provisions governing the operation of the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts

This bill would revise the qualifications of the chief examiner of public accounts, revise the procedures for removal of the chief examiner, revise certain provisions relating to the salary of the chief examiner and certain staff and employees, revise the term of service, and require the chief examiner to appoint chief legal counsel

This bill would also revise and clarify certain duties of the department

This bill would also revise the composition of the Legislative Committee on Public Accounts beginning January 1, 2019

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose

The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment

Relating to the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts; to add Chapter 5A to Title 41, Code of Alabama 1975, to substantially revise the provisions governing the operation of the office; to revise the qualifications of the chief examiner of Public Accounts; to revise the procedures for removal of the chief examiner; to revise certain provisions relating to the salary of the chief examiner and certain staff and employees; to revise the term of service of the chief examiner; to require the chief examiner to appoint chief legal counsel; to revise and clarify certain duties of the department; to provide penalties for false statements in audits; and to revise the composition of the Legislative Committee on Public Accounts at a certain time; and to repeal Chapter 5, Title 41, Code of Alabama 1975, the existing law governing the department; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.