JEFFERSON CITY — Today (7-12), the governor signed House Bill 116 into law.  Handled by Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, in the Senate, HB 116 was amended to include other accountability provisions, including Senate Bill 65, sponsored by Sen. Dixon. SB 65 updated Missouri statutes relating to the duties of the State Auditor.

“This bill improves a vitally important function of government. Audits of state and local agencies hold those entities accountable for their use of taxpayers’ dollars,” said Sen. Dixon. “Naturally, with my focus on fiscal responsibility, I was ready and honored to sponsor this measure at the State Auditor’s request. Like other bills I have filed, SB 65 sought to update our statutes to reflect 21st Century realities. Several of these laws had not been modified in a half-century or more. We needed to make sure the people’s watchdog wasn’t muzzled by outdated laws.” 

Among other changes, HB 116 updates definitions related to state audits; removes duplicate or unnecessary sections; lays out the State Auditor’s duties with greater clarity; and updates statutory schedules to allow the State Auditor to act on a time table that makes the best, most efficient use of resources, including personnel.  Another provision added to the bill increases government accountability by requiring state departments or divisions receiving grants of federal funds over $1 million to document certain information and make it available on the Missouri Accountability Portal within 30 days. Finally, the bill also includes the language of HB 451, sponsored by Rep. Lyndall Fraker, R-Marshfield, allowing counties to amend their budgets up to twice during the year if there is an unanticipated decline in revenues during the fiscal year. HB 116 will take effect on Aug. 28.

For more information on HB 116, SB 65, or other bills sponsored by Sen. Dixon, visit his website at www.senate.mo.gov/dixon and click on the Legislation tab.