2003-04-04                     Senate Journal                      Page 0692
SB 169                                                                                            
SENATE BILL NO. 169 BY THE SENATE 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."                                           
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the Finance Committee.                                      
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal information was published today:                                               
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Office of the Governor                                                    
                                                                                                    
Governor's transmittal letter dated April 3:                                                        
                                                                                                    
Dear President Therriault:                                                                          
                                                                                                    
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.                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    

2003-04-04                     Senate Journal                      Page 0693
I urge your favorable consideration of this bill.                                                   
                                                                                                    
Sincerely,                                                                                          
/s/                                                                                                 
Frank H. Murkowski                                                                                  
Governor