Legislature(2013 - 2014)ANCH LIO Rm 210
10/16/2013 09:00 AM Senate LEGISLATIVE BUDGET & AUDIT
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Approval of Minutes | |
| Revised Program - Legislative (rpls) | |
| Executive Session | |
| Other Committee Business | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
Other Committee Business
11:22:58 AM
[Contains discussion of HB 30.]
CHAIR FAIRCLOUGH announced that the committee would now discuss
the consideration of the Performance Review Contract. She
reminded the committee that she had previously appointed a
subcommittee consisting of herself, Senator Bishop and
Representatives Hawker, Herron, and Kawasaki to work on the
scope of work for the contract. The subcommittee held a lengthy
meeting on October 1, 2013, to discuss the scope of work for the
contract; Representatives Olson and Josephson were also in
attendance at the subcommittee meeting. Chair Fairclough opined
that the subcommittee settled on a thorough and balanced work
product, which Ms. Curtis will explain.
11:23:35 AM
KRISTIN CURTIS, Legislative Auditor, Division of Legislative
Audit, Alaska State Legislature, explained the division intends
to request approval to solicit and award a contract not to
exceed $300,000 to conduct the Department of Corrections
performance review. The contractor will lead the performance
review team, which will also be made up of Division of
Legislative Audit employees. She reminded the committee that
performance reviews of state departments were authorized this
past session and will begin with the Department of Corrections.
During the course of the review, the department will be required
to provide a list of programs or elements of programs supported
by general funds that can be cut without impacting the ability
of the department to fulfill its mission or reduce required
services to the public. A review team lead by a contractor will
conduct a systematic assessment of the appropriateness,
effectiveness, and efficiency of the department and its
programs. The review, she related, is meant to provide
information that can improve the entity's performance and assist
legislators in evaluating the department and its budget. One of
the first steps in the performance review process is the
Legislative Budget and Audit Committee's consideration and
approval of the performance review scope. She explained that a
scope describes the nature and expense of the work that needs to
be done in order to complete the review. The scope this
committee approves will serve as the basis for the request for
proposal for the contractor. Once the contractor completes the
review a report is prepared and submitted to the Division of
Legislative Audit and then the Legislative Budget and Audit
Committee. The Department of Corrections' performance review
report must be sent to this committee by December 16, 2014, and
is required to be confidential until finalized and released by
the committee. Statutes require that copies of the report be
sent to the chairs and co-chairs of the House and Senate Finance
Committees one week prior to the legislative session beginning.
11:25:49 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HAWKER moved that the committee approve the
performance review scope of work as presented. There being no
objection, it was approved.
11:26:11 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HAWKER moved that the committee authorize the
legislative auditor to solicit and award a contract for
performance review services in an amount not to exceed $300,000.
There being no objection, it was so ordered.
11:26:31 AM
CHAIR FAIRCLOUGH announced that the committee would now consider
the revised committee handbook procedure.
11:26:36 AM
MS. CURTIS informed the committee that the changes in the
committee handbook were necessitated by the performance reviews
of HB 30. The new statutes created by HB 30 were inserted in
the committee handbook. The revised committee handbook also
includes revised procedures, which were modeled after the audit
procedures. The bulk of the new procedures begin on page 41 of
the committee handbook.
11:29:22 AM
CHAIR FAIRCLOUGH mentioned her appreciation of the proactive
approach the division has taken in terms of revising the
committee handbook.
11:29:44 AM
SENATOR OLSON asked from where the bulk of these changes come.
MS. CURTIS explained that she contracted with the previous
legislative auditor to draft the changes, which originate from
HB 30. The new procedures were modeled in terms of how the
audits work, which she recalled was the intent of HB 30.
Therefore, there are specifications relating to the release of
the audit, the number of days in which the agency can respond,
the number of times it comes before the committee, and the
confidentiality of the work papers.
11:30:36 AM
SENATOR MEYER said he had no concerns with Ms. Curtis'
recommendations. However, he mentioned the backlog of the
Division of Legislative Audit and inquired as to the current
size of it.
MS. CURTIS answered that the division's current backlog consists
of three special audits and four sunset audits coming next year.
SENATOR MEYER then inquired as to how long it would take a newly
requested audit to be completed.
MS. CURTIS opined that no new audits would be considered next
year but rather they would be considered the year after.
CHAIR FAIRCLOUGH related her understanding that completion dates
would be a full year out.
11:33:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HAWKER moved that the updated and revised
Legislative Budget and Audit Committee handbook as provided to
the committee today be adopted as the currently effective
committee handbook. There being no objection, the updated and
revised Legislative Budget and Audit Committee handbook was
adopted.
11:33:34 AM
CHAIR FAIRCLOUGH announced the appointment of a subcommittee on
occupational licensing and boards, which would hold a meeting in
January for the full committee to attend. She appointed to the
subcommittee the following members: Senators Fairclough, chair,
Giessel and Representatives Hawker, Austerman, and Josephson.
There being no objection, the subcommittee was formed.
11:35:18 AM
CHAIR FAIRCLOUGH thanked Laura Pierre, Staff, Legislative Budget
and Audit Committee, for her work in bringing the committee
together and keeping the meeting organized. She also thanked
Ms. Curtis and her staff for their work as auditing is not an
easy job, particularly when working in less than ideal
surroundings during their office renovation.
MS. CURTIS highlighted the dedication of her staff, noting that
performing nine sunsets in one year is an incredible amount of
work along with two special audits.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| LB&A Agenda 10.16.13.pdf |
JBUD 10/16/2013 9:00:00 AM |
|
| 2013-10-16_RPLCompletedPacket.pdf |
JBUD 10/16/2013 9:00:00 AM |