41-1279. Joint legislative audit committee; composition; meetings; powers and duties; committee termination

A. The joint legislative audit committee is established consisting of five members of the senate who are appointed by the president of the senate, one of whom is a member of the senate appropriations committee, and five members of the house of representatives who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one of whom is a member of the house of representatives appropriations committee. Selection of members shall be based on their understanding of and interest in legislative audit oversight functions. Not more than three appointees of each house shall be of the same political party. The president and the speaker shall designate one of their appointed members as chairman of their respective delegation. The chairman of the audit committee shall serve for the term of each legislature. The chairmanship of the audit committee shall alternate between the chairman of the senate delegation and the chairman of the house of representatives delegation beginning with the chairman of the senate delegation. The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall also serve as ex officio members of the committee.

B. The committee shall meet at least quarterly and on call of the chairman. Members of the committee are eligible for reimbursement by their respective houses in the same manner as a member of the legislature who attends a meeting of a standing committee.

C. The committee shall:

1. Oversee all audit functions of the legislature and state agencies, including sunset, performance, special and financial audits, special research requests and the preparation and introduction of legislation resulting from audit report findings.

2. Appoint an auditor general subject to approval by a concurrent resolution of the legislature and direct the auditor general to perform all sunset, performance, special and financial audits and investigations.

3. Have the power of legislative subpoena in accordance with article 4 of this chapter.

4. Require state agencies to comply with findings and directions of the committee regarding sunset, performance, special and financial audits.

5. Perform all functions required by chapter 27 of this title relating to the sunset review of state agencies.

D. The committee established by this section ends on July 1, 2026 pursuant to section 41-3103.