Chapter 153 Oregon Laws 2011

 

AN ACT

 

HB 2920

 

Relating to Secretary of State audits of fund transfers to counties; amending ORS 297.210.

 

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

 

          SECTION 1. ORS 297.210 is amended to read:

          297.210. (1)(a) The Secretary of State, as State Auditor, shall have the accounts and financial affairs of state departments, boards, commissions, institutions and state-aided institutions and agencies of the state reviewed or audited as the Secretary of State considers advisable or necessary.

          (b) The Secretary of State, as State Auditor, may conduct audits of the business practices of school districts and education service districts pursuant to a contract with the Department of Education authorized by ORS 326.133.

          (c) The Secretary of State, as State Auditor, may conduct audits of the use of fund transfers from the state to counties, including but not limited to transfers of video lottery revenues, state highway funds, cigarette tax revenues and Oregon Liquor Control Commission funds.

          [(c)] (d) The Secretary of State may subpoena witnesses, require the production of books and papers and rendering of reports in such manner and form as the Secretary of State requires and may do all things necessary to secure a full and thorough investigation. The Secretary of State shall report, in writing, to the Governor. The report shall include a copy of the report on each audit.

          (2) The Secretary of State may audit or review any institution or department of the state government at any time the executive head of the institution or department, for any reason, retires from the head’s office or position. The secretary need not conduct an audit or review under this subsection if:

          (a) The institution or department has been the subject of an audit or review of financial controls within the six months immediately preceding the retirement of the executive head of the institution or department; or

          (b) The secretary has not received a report within the 12 months immediately preceding the retirement of the executive head of the institution or department indicating that the executive head of the institution or department was unable or unwilling to follow state law, rules, policies or procedures.

          (3) The Secretary of State shall employ auditors upon such terms and for such compensation as the Secretary of State determines are advantageous and advisable.

          (4) If a person fails to comply with any subpoena issued under subsection (1) of this section, a judge of the circuit court of any county, on application of the Secretary of State, shall compel obedience by proceedings for contempt as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued from the circuit court.

 

Approved by the Governor May 27, 2011

 

Filed in the office of Secretary of State May 27, 2011

 

Effective date January 1, 2012

__________