DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Garofalo HB No. 209
Abstract: Provides for legislative fiscal staff to have access to certain information from state
agencies.
Present law provides for the powers and duties of the legislative auditor, including the authority
to compile financial statements and to examine, audit, or review the books and accounts of state
agencies. The scope of the examinations may include financial accountability, legal compliance,
and evaluations of the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of the auditee's programs. Further,
the legislative auditor has access to papers, books, accounts, records, files, instruments,
documents, films, tapes, and any other forms of recordation, including but not limited to
computers and recording devices, and all software and hardware which hold data, is part of the
technical processes leading up to the retention of data, or is part of the security system. The
authority is extended to confidential materials; however, the legislative auditor must comply with
the restriction imposed by law on information deemed confidential. (R.S. 24:513)
Present law provides for the powers of the legislative fiscal officer and staff to inspect and make
copies of any books, records, or files of state agencies as well as authority to inspect all records
which are classified as confidential by any of the laws of the state. Present law further provides
that the confidentiality of such records is maintained except for the purpose of developing
general statistics and program evaluations of the operations of the state agencies. (R.S. 24:604)
Proposed law provides for the powers of the legislative fiscal staff similar to those of the
legislative auditor and the legislative fiscal officer, including the authority to inspect and make
copies of any books, records, or files of state agencies, as well as authority to inspect all records
which are classified as confidential by any of the laws of the state. Proposed law further provides
that the confidentiality of such records is maintained except for the purpose of developing
general statistics and program evaluations of the operations of the state agencies.
(Adds R.S. 24:508)