CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill No. 32

Introduced by Assembly Member Rodriguez

December 05, 2016

An act to amend Section 8543.2 of the Government Code, relating to the California State Auditor.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 32, as introduced, Rodriguez. California State Auditor.
Existing law establishes the California State Auditor’s Office, headed by the California State Auditor and under the direction of the Milton Marks “Little Hoover” Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy, with specified duties that include, among others, conducting financial and performance audits as directed by statute. Existing law requires that the California State Auditor be chosen without reference to party affiliation and solely on the ground of fitness to perform the duties of the office and that, prior to selection, the California State Auditor possess a combination of education and experience in auditing and management necessary to perform the duties of the office. Under existing law, the California State Auditor is appointed by the Governor from a list of 3 qualified individuals nominated by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) by a vote of at least a majority of the committee membership from each house of the Legislature.
This bill would require JLAC to select the 3 qualified individuals from a pool of candidates after conducting a comprehensive search for qualified individuals. The bill would require JLAC to provide notice in a prescribed manner that it is seeking applicants for nomination as California State Auditor. The bill would authorize members of the Legislature, individuals, and entities to submit names for consideration by JLAC.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 8543.2 of the Government Code is amended to read:

8543.2.
 (a) The head of the office is the California State Auditor, who shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of three qualified individuals nominated by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee by a vote of at least a majority of the committee membership from each house of the Legislature. The term of any individual appointed as the California State Auditor shall be four years. Any vacancy in the office of the California State Auditor shall be filled in the same manner provided by this subdivision for a full term. The Joint Legislative Audit Committee shall select the three qualified individuals from a pool of candidates after conducting a comprehensive search for qualified individuals. The Joint Legislative Audit Committee shall provide at least 120 days’ notice that it is seeking applicants for nomination by providing notice in the Journals of the Senate and the Assembly and by advertising in appropriate newspapers and with nationally acknowledged professional journals and associations. Names for consideration by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee may be submitted by members of the Legislature, professional organizations, individuals, and other entities.
(b) The term of any individual appointed as the California State Auditor shall be four years. Any vacancy in the office of the California State Auditor shall be filled in the same manner provided by this subdivision for a full term.

(b)

(c) As the head of the office, the California State Auditor may establish constituent parts of the office to carry out the powers and duties of the office unless otherwise specified by law.

(c)

(d) The office has a Chief Deputy California State Auditor.