Sec. 1. 3 MRSA §994, sub-§10, as amended by PL 2003, c. 673, Pt. GGGG, §6, is further amended to read:

10. Adopt rules. To adopt rules, as long as the rules are not in conflict with the Joint Rules of the Legislature. By January 1, 2005, the committee must develop a mission statement to be included in the rules; and

Sec. 2. 3 MRSA §994, sub-§11, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 673, Pt. GGGG, §7, is amended to read:

11. Information available to committee. To receive certain information. Information that is made available to the committee is governed by chapter 21, which governs legislative investigating committees, and by Title 1, chapter 13, which governs public records and proceedings.; and

Sec. 3. 3 MRSA §994, sub-§12 is enacted to read:

12.__Immediate review system.__To establish a system to provide immediate review of a program or function of a state agency or other entity in the event that there is a suspicion of a major auditing problem or major fraud or major mismanagement of public funds.__If the director determines to proceed under the immediate review system and the committee approves proceeding under that system, qualified auditors and investigators may be retained by the director for that purpose.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes within the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability an immediate review system to provide immediate review of a program or function of a state agency or other entity in the event that there is a suspicion of a major auditing problem or major fraud or major mismanagement of public funds.