Subcommittee adopts amendment to joint resolution directing agencies to implement forensic‑audit recommendations and begin public monthly reports

A Senate constitutional subcommittee on Monday adopted an amendment to joint resolution "S 2 53" that directs three state agencies to carry out non‑statutory recommendations from a forensic accounting report and requires public progress reporting.

The amendment, adopted by roll call, designates the state treasurer's office, the comptroller general's office and the office of the state auditor as the agencies responsible for implementing recommendations that do not require statutory change. It gives the Department of Administration authority to coordinate implementation and to request support for carrying out the plan.

A staff member summarized the five‑section amendment for members, saying the preamble and section 1 were revised to reference proviso 117.186 and to make fiscal‑year timing explicit, and that a prior reference to an independent compliance consultant was removed after consultations with subject experts. The amendment also requires the three agencies and the Department of Administration to begin monthly progress reporting no later than 03/31/2025 and requires the compliance monitor to review and comment on those reports and to participate in monthly public meetings convened by the Department of Administration.

Section 4 requires that, on full completion of all non‑statutory requirements or not later than one year after the resolution's effective date, the compliance monitor submit a comprehensive status report to the Joint Bond Review Committee (JBRC) for review. JBRC has authority to extend the monthly reporting requirement. Section 5 directs the three agencies to provide a detailed implementation timeline to the governor, legislative leaders, the Department of Administration and the independent compliance monitor within 90 days of the resolution's effective date, and expresses the General Assembly's intent that non‑statutory recommendations be implemented within one year.

During debate, Senator Hembry asked what enforcement mechanisms would exist if an agency refused to comply. Senator Grahams responded that the joint resolution has the effect of law for the non‑statutory items and that the independent compliance monitor would notify the subcommittee and General Assembly if agencies failed to implement the recommendations, which could lead to "appropriate action." Senator Grahams later said, "I believe the treasurer should resign. I believe he's committed offenses that warrant removal from office," and alleged the treasurer had "lied under oath to our subcommittee." Those statements were made during the policy debate and were not followed in the transcript by a formal enforcement trigger built into the resolution.

Senator Goldfinch asked whether the subcommittee should add an automatic trigger for a no‑confidence vote into the amendment; Senator Grahams said he preferred to handle any further accountability measures separately and that the subcommittee would include relevant recommendations in a forthcoming final report to the full finance committee and General Assembly.

Senator Berkeley moved adoption of the subcommittee amendment; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call, 17 to 0. A subsequent motion to give a "favorable report as amended" was made and approved by voice vote, sending the amended joint resolution forward to the next stage of legislative consideration.

The amendment as adopted requires specific administrative steps and reporting deadlines but does not itself prescribe statutory penalties for noncompliance; members discussed using the General Assembly's existing authorities, including removal procedures, if agencies fail to follow the resolution's directives. The committee recorded no amendments that inserted an automatic no‑confidence or removal trigger in the text.

The resolution and its amendment will move to the full finance committee and to the General Assembly for further consideration. The subcommittee adjourned after the vote.