SB 251 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING THE AUDITORS OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS, AUDITS OF PRIVATE ENTITIES AND PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS FOR STATE AND QUASI-PUBLIC AGENCIES.

SB 251 expands the audit authority of the Auditors of Public Accounts, allowing them to set their own audit schedules and scope for state agencies, public bodies, and private contractors receiving $25,000+ annually in state funds for housing or human services. The bill requires annual audits of the Treasurer and Comptroller, biennial audits of state departments and agencies (with more frequent audits permitted if needed), and mandates that private contractors provide relevant information and allow office visits. Auditors must report findings to the Governor and legislative committees and submit an annual audit plan to the government oversight committee by July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects state government entities, public bodies, and qualifying private contractors.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 19, 2026 Last action Apr 2, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill GOS Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renamed to reflect a broader scope that now includes audits of private entities and performance standards for quasi-public agencies. The most significant policy change is raising the financial threshold for mandatory on-site audits of private housing and human service providers from $25,000 to $250,000 annually. Additionally, the bill adds new requirements for the auditors to respond to committee requests for performance reviews within 60 days and expands the list of officials who must be notified if illegal spending or safety issues are discovered.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from solely focusing on state agencies to explicitly include audits of private entities and the establishment of performance and accountability standards for quasi-public agencies.
ELIGIBILITY

The threshold for mandatory on-site visits by auditors to private entities receiving state funds for housing or human services was increased from $25,000 to $250,000 annually.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements mandate that auditors must respond to committee requests for limited performance engagements within 60 days and specify the scope and schedule.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded the mandatory reporting list for illegal or unsafe handling of funds to include the Attorney General and the clerk of each legislative house, with specific exceptions for ongoing investigations.

DEFINITION

Added a formal definition and process for 'limited performance engagement' regarding the review of specific programs or entities.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Mar 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Oversight
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors