Section 43-2-4. Conduct of audit by state auditor; summary listing of findings; submission of copies; response

   (a) The state auditor shall conduct a performance audit of any regulatory agency upon the request of a standing committee of the House or the Senate to which a regulatory agency is assigned. This audit shall include, without being limited to, a summary listing of the audit findings and a determination regarding each finding as to whether the regulatory agency, the division director, or both, or some other entity exercises major responsibilities in the area relating to the finding.

(b) A copy of each performance audit conducted pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section shall be submitted, within 15 days after completion, to:

   (1) Each member of the Senate and House standing committees to which the regulatory agency has been assigned for review under this chapter;

   (2) The presiding officers of the Senate and House of Representatives;

   (3) The Governor, the Attorney General, and the legislative counsel;

   (4) The chairperson of the audited regulatory agency; and

   (5) The division director.

(c) Within 30 days after submission of the performance audit, the regulatory agency and the division director shall each submit a written response as to each audit finding in those areas in which that agency or division director has been determined by the audit to exercise major responsibilities. Such response shall include, without being limited to, the following:

   (1) Whether or not the agency or division director agrees with that finding and the reasons therefor;

   (2) What steps have been or will be taken to address each issue raised in each finding, whether the steps are regulatory or proposed statutory changes, and the proposed effective date of any such regulatory changes; and

   (3) If no steps have been or will be taken to address any issues raised in the finding, the reasons therefor.

(d) At the request of a standing committee assigned review, that response shall be updated and resubmitted by the division director and audited regulatory agency.

(e) Responses required by subsections (c) and (d) of this Code section shall be submitted to those persons designated in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section to receive copies of performance audits.

Code 1981, § 43-2-4, enacted by Ga. L. 1992, p. 3137, § 1; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1706, § 19.