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House approves resolution to implement audit recommendations, redirects funds for independent compliance review
Summary
The South Carolina House of Representatives passed a joint resolution authorizing the Department of Administration to hire an independent compliance consultant to implement recommendations from the Alex Partners audit and redirecting $1.2 million (nonrecurring) from the State Treasurer's budget for that purpose.
The South Carolina House of Representatives passed a joint resolution implementing recommendations from the independent Alex Partners audit of the state's financial agencies. Representative Murphy explained the resolution on the floor and said it would redirect $1.2 million in nonrecurring funds from the State Treasurer's office to the Department of Administration to engage an independent compliance consultant and to oversee implementation of audit recommendations.
Representative Murphy listed the resolution's principal elements: redirecting funds to pay an independent compliance consultant, assigning the Department of Administration an oversight role, requiring monthly implementation reports from the treasurer, comptroller general and auditor, having the consultant review those reports, and delivering a one-year comprehensive report to the Joint Bond Review Committee.
During floor questions Representative Jermaine Johnson and Representative McDaniel asked about funding and timing. Murphy said the initial audit expense had been funded previously and the $1.2 million would come from the treasurer's existing budget rather than a new appropriation.
Members also asked about structural reforms recommended by the audit. Murphy said a separate bill already filed would change reporting lines to remove the state auditor from oversight by the treasurer and comptroller general.
The House approved the resolution by voice and recorded vote; the House clerk's tally was 109-0. The resolution directs agencies to provide timelines for implementing audit recommendations, and it requires the independent compliance consultant to comment on monthly reports and to provide a comprehensive 12-month report to the legislature.
Implementation steps described include a 90-day deadline for agencies to present statutory changes and a one-year consultant report to be presented to the legislature. Supporters said the measure is intended to halt further missteps and to provide independent oversight while statutory fixes proceed.
