Local Government Audits.

House Bill 593 (HB 593) modifies how units of local government and public authorities select accountants for their annual financial audits. It requires governing boards to solicit sealed bids for audits at least every five years, selecting an auditor based on cost and expertise without initially knowing the bidder's identity. Auditors must be certified by the State Auditor, who is also appropriated funds to assist local governments with financial record-keeping. Additionally, the bill allows the Local Government Commission to mandate that a local government, following an investigative audit, select an auditor from a list provided by the Commission.