SCS/HB 544 - The Commissioner of Administration shall maintain the web-based Missouri accountability portal which shall consist of a searchable database documenting state purchasing of goods and services and the distribution of funds for state programs. The Governor shall submit a daily report documenting all amounts withheld from the state's operating budget for the fiscal year. The report shall be posted on the portal website and be searchable by amounts withheld from each fund and by the total amount withheld from the operating budget. The Joint Committee on Recovery Accountability and Transparency is created to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse of the funds received by the state or any political subdivision from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The committee will consist of two members of the senate and two members of the house. This committee will have the power to oversee the reporting of contracts and grants using covered funds, review whether competition requirements applicable to contracts and grants have been satisfied, review covered funds, refer matters for investigation to the attorney general or the agency dispersing the funds, receive regular reports from the commissioner of the office of administration and the state auditor and review audits from the state Auditor and conduct reviews relating to covered funds. The committee shall also determine whether the funds received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act should be utilized to buy back a portion of the state's unredeemed tax credits at a discounted rate. The committee is required to report annually to the Governor and General Assembly. The committee also has the power to subpoena witnesses.
The Commissioner of the Office of Administration shall provide a dome key to each Senate and House member.
This act is similar to HB 975 (2007), SB 1204 (2008), HB 174 (2009), HB 544 (2009), SB 155 (2009), SB 162 (2009), SB 568 (2009), SB 304 (2009), and SB 472 (2009).
CHRIS HOGERTY