2003-04-04                     House Journal                      Page 0769
HB 243                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 243 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act establishing state agency program performance                                          
     management and audit powers in the Office of the Governor for                                  
     the evaluation of agency programs; and providing for an effective                              
     date."                                                                                         
                                                                                                    

2003-04-04                     House Journal                      Page 0770
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance                               
Committees.                                                                                         
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Zero, Office of the Governor                                                                    
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated April 3, 2003, follows:                                     
                                                                                                    
"Dear Speaker Kott:                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am                          
transmitting a bill that would establish state agency program                                       
performance management and audit powers in the Office of the                                        
Governor.  This bill would establish powers in the office of                                        
management and budget necessary to evaluate program performance                                     
by executive branch agencies.  These powers would include express                                   
authorization for the exercise of internal audit powers.  It is my intent                           
that this authority permit the centralization of the internal audit                                 
function, which had been a declining effort under previous                                          
Administrations.  I intend to use internal audits as a management tool                              
in my Administration's continuing effort to streamline and make                                     
efficient the operations of state agencies.                                                         
                                                                                                    
The bill also would make certain audit records confidential.  This                                  
provision mirrors the powers given to legislative auditors and is                                   
considered necessary to make the auditors effective in the performance                              
of their duties.                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
I urge your favorable consideration of this bill.                                                   
                                                                                                    
                                 Sincerely,                                                        
                                 /s/                                                                
                                 Frank H. Murkowski                                                 
                                  Governor"