SCS HB 544 -- OVERSIGHT OF PUBLIC FUNDS

(Vetoed by the Governor)

This bill changes the laws regarding the oversight of public
funds and access to the dome of the State Capitol.

JOINT COMMITTEE ON RECOVERY ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY

The bill establishes the Joint Committee on Recovery
Accountability and Transparency to coordinate and conduct
oversight of moneys received by the state and any political
subdivision from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009, commonly known as the federal economic stimulus act, to
prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.  The committee will consist of
four members; two each from the House of Representatives and the
Senate to be appointed by the Speaker and the President Pro Tem
respectively.  The duties of the committee include:

(1)  Reviewing whether the reporting of contracts and grants
using these funds meet applicable standards and specify the
purpose of the contract or grant and performance measures;

(2)  Reviewing whether applicable competition requirements to
contracts and grants using these funds have been satisfied;

(3)  Reviewing these funds to determine whether wasteful
spending, poor contract or grant management, or other abuses are
occurring and referring appropriate matters for investigation to
the Attorney General or the agency that disbursed the funds;

(4)  Receiving regular reports from the Commissioner of the
Office of Administration, or his or her designee, regarding these
funds;

(5)  Submitting annual reports to the Governor and General
Assembly that summarize its findings.  All reports must be made
publicly available and posted on the Governor's, the General
Assembly's, and each state agency's web site except for portions
which would disclose information that is not subject to
disclosure under state law; and

(6)  Making recommendations to agencies on measures to prevent
fraud, waste, and abuse regarding these funds.  No later than 30
days after receipt of a recommendation, an agency must submit a
report to the Governor and General Assembly stating whether the
agency agrees or disagrees with the recommendation and any action
the agency will take to implement the recommendations.

MISSOURI ACCOUNTABILITY PORTAL

The Commissioner of the Office of Administration is required to
maintain the Missouri Accountability Portal established in
Executive Order 07-24 as a free, Internet-based tool allowing
citizens to demand fiscal discipline and responsibility.  The
portal will consist of an easy-to-search database of financial
transactions related to the purchase of goods and services and
the distribution of funds for state programs.  The portal must be
updated each business day and maintained as the primary source of
information about the activities of state government.

ACCESS TO THE STATE CAPITOL DOME

The commissioner must provide each member of the General Assembly
with a key that accesses the dome of the State Capitol.

The provisions of the bill regarding the joint committee will
expire March 1, 2012.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:25 am