Bill Text: MI SJRO | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Legislature: committees; constitutional amendment to create a bipartisan, bicameral oversight committee to review departmental or agency audits and reports provided by the auditor general; create. Amends sec. 53, art. IV & adds sec. 55 to art. IV of the state constitution.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-04-12 - Referred To Committee On Oversight [SJRO Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-SJRO-Introduced.html
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION O
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the state constitution of 1963, by amending section 53 of article IV and adding section 55 to article IV, to amend the duties of the auditor general and create a permanent bicameral, bipartisan joint oversight committee in the legislature.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the state of Michigan, That the following amendment to the state constitution of 1963, to amend the duties of the auditor general and create a permanent bicameral, bipartisan joint oversight committee in the legislature, is proposed, agreed to, and submitted to the people of the state:
article IV
Sec. 53. The legislature by a majority vote of the members elected to and serving in each house, shall appoint an auditor general, who shall be a certified public accountant licensed to practice in this state, to serve for a term of eight years. He or she shall be ineligible for appointment or election to any other public office in this state from which compensation is derived while serving as auditor general and for two years following the termination of his service. He or she may be removed for cause at any time by a two-thirds vote of the members elected to and serving in each house. The auditor general shall conduct post audits of financial transactions, contracts, and accounts of the state and of all branches, departments, offices, boards, commissions, agencies, authorities and institutions of the state established by this constitution or by law, and performance post audits thereof.
The auditor general upon direction by the legislature may employ independent accounting firms or legal counsel and may make investigations pertinent to the conduct of audits. He or she shall report annually to the joint oversight committee of the legislature described in section 55 and to the governor and at such other times as he deems or she considers necessary or as required by the legislature. He or she shall be assigned no duties other than those specified in this section.
Nothing in this section shall be construed in any way to infringe the responsibility and constitutional authority of the governing boards of the institutions of higher education to be solely responsible for the control and direction of all expenditures from the institutions' funds.
The auditor general, his or her deputy and one other member of his or her staff shall be exempt from classified civil service. All other members of his or her staff shall have classified civil service status.
Sec. 55. (1) A joint oversight committee is created as a permanent bipartisan, bicameral committee in the legislature under the legislative council. The joint oversight committee shall operate by procedures and carry out its powers and duties as prescribed by law.
(2) The joint oversight committee shall receive and request audits from the auditor general, the executive branch, and any other sources. The joint oversight committee may investigate and inquire of the finances and performances of the government of this state and its subdivisions.
(3) The joint oversight committee consists of the following eight members, not more than four of whom may be members of the same political party:
(a) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(b) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.
(c) Two members of the senate, appointed by the majority leader of the senate.
(d) Two members of the senate, appointed by the minority leader of the senate.
(4) A member of the committee shall serve for a term as prescribed by law.
(5) A vacancy on the joint oversight committee must be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. A member appointed under this subsection shall fill the vacancy for the balance of the term.
(6) The legislature shall implement this section by appropriate legislation.
Resolved further, That the foregoing amendment shall be submitted to the people of the state at the next general election in the manner provided by law.
