A resolution to propose to the people of the State of California an amendment to the Constitution of the State, by adding Section 10 to Article III thereof, relating to state audits.

Existing statutory law establishes the Bureau of State Audits, which is headed by the State Auditor and has specified statutory duties, including the performance of statutorily mandated audits. Existing law states that the Bureau of State Audits, in order to be free of organizational impairments to independence, shall be independent of the executive branch and legislative control. This measure would require the State Auditor to biennially conduct a specified financial audit and performance evaluation of each state program, including the administration or oversight of that program by the department or agency that is responsible for the program, and submit a report of the results of that financial audit and performance evaluation to the Legislature, as prescribed. This measure would require the committee that considers the budget in each house of the Legislature to meet and consider recommendations made in each performance evaluation within 90 days of submission by the State Auditor. This measure would require the State Auditor to make each financial audit and performance evaluation available to the public on an Internet Web site and in hardcopy format and require the Legislature to appropriate to the Bureau of State Audits funds as necessary to implement these provisions.