Bill to update state auditor authorities advances after debate on subpoena power and audit fees

A package of changes to state auditing law drew extended testimony and questions at the State and Local Government Committee Monday as lawmakers weighed whether to give the state auditor broader subpoena authority and to change how audit costs are billed.

Senator Sean Cleary, sponsor of Senate Bill 2251, told the committee the bill makes five main changes: it would eliminate the auditor's authority to bill state agencies for special-fund audits; codify current practice to allow federal Single Audit costs to be paid from federal program funds; reduce retainage paid to auditors for local-government audits from 20% to 5% (a number committee members said could be adjusted); grant subpoena authority to the state auditor to compel records from non-government entities that receive public funds; and raise the threshold for required audits for occupational and professional boards from $200,000 to $2,000,000.