Auditor seeks cooperation law to enhance legislative accountability

The Alaska Legislature's Senate Rules Committee convened on April 30, 2025, to discuss critical amendments to legislation governing the Legislative Budget and Audit (LBNA) process. The meeting focused on key sections of a bill aimed at enhancing the powers and duties of the legislative audit division.

Sections 2 and 3 of the proposed bill are central to the discussion, as they clarify the requirement for auditees to cooperate with auditors by providing requested information in the specified format. This change is intended to streamline the auditing process and ensure compliance from various departments.

Additionally, sections 1 and 4 of the bill amend existing statutes designed to compel cooperation. These amendments include updates to a criminal statute related to hindering the legislative budget process, ensuring that the new requirements in sections 2 and 3 are reflected in the law. Section 4 similarly updates personnel laws to support the legislative auditor's efforts.

The bill also includes a provision stating that it will take effect immediately upon passage, while clarifying that the new criminal standards will not be applied retroactively.

During the meeting, a key official emphasized the necessity of the bill for fulfilling constitutional and statutory obligations. They warned that failure to pass the legislation could lead to incomplete audits, resulting in a lack of accountability and raising concerns about the Department of Revenue's willingness to provide necessary information.

The discussions highlighted the importance of legislative oversight and the need for transparency in state operations, underscoring the potential consequences of inadequate cooperation from state departments in the auditing process. The committee's actions will be pivotal in determining the future effectiveness of the legislative audit function in Alaska.