HLS 161ES-134 ENGROSSED
2016 First Extraordinary Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 42
BY REPRESENTATIVE JAY MORRIS
FISCAL CONTROLS: Requires certain contracting entities to submit information to the
legislative auditor prior to contracting with a state agency or receiving state monies
(Item #33)
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 24:525 and R.S. 39:366.7, relative to certain state contracts; to require certain
3 contracting entities to submit certain information to the legislative auditor; to provide
4 for public access to such information; to provide for the duties of the legislative
5 auditor relative to such requirement; to provide for certain procedures and
6 requirements to be subject to the approval of the Legislative Audit Advisory Council;
7 to provide for certain restrictions and contract prohibitions for failure to comply; and
8 to provide for related matters.
9Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
10 Section 1. R.S. 24:525 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
11 §525. Contracting entities; documentation; submission to the legislative auditor;
12 contract prohibition
13 A. For purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have the following
14 meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
15 (1) "Contract" shall mean an agreement by two or more parties whereby
16 obligations are created, modified, or extinguished. "Contract" shall not include any
17 of the following:
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HB NO. 42
1 (a) A waiver, agreement to suspend prescription, installment agreement,
2 settlement agreement, collateral agreement, offer in compromise, or any other
3 document filed, entered into, or executed for the assessment, collection,
4 administration, and enforcement of taxes, fees, licenses, penalties, interest, and other
5 charges due the state that have been delegated to the secretary of the Department of
6 Revenue.
7 (b) A contract entered into pursuant to R.S. 47:337.26.
8 (c) A nondisclosure agreement entered into pursuant to R.S. 44:22.
9 (d) A contract or agreement entered into by the Department of Economic
10 Development with the exception of the following:
11 (i) Contracts funded from the Louisiana Mega-Project Development Fund
12 pursuant to R.S. 51:2365.
13 (ii) Contracts funded from the Rapid Response Fund pursuant to R.S.
14 51:2361.
15 (iii) Agreements for the allocation of retention and modernization tax credits
16 pursuant to R.S. 51:2399.1 et seq.
17 (iv) Contracts for professional, personal, consulting, or social services.
18 (v) Contracts subject to the Louisiana Procurement Code.
19 (2) "Contracting entity" shall mean any person who enters or seeks to enter
20 into a contract with a state agency. "Contracting entity" shall not include any
21 governmental entity; public, private, or parochial school, college, or university; or
22 any electric power cooperative or provider or investor owned public utility that is
23 regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission or by the governing authority
24 of the city of New Orleans.
25 (3) "Governmental entity" shall mean the state or any political subdivision
26 of the state.
27 (4) "Person" means a natural person or legal entity other than a governmental
28 entity or an agency thereof.
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HB NO. 42
1 (5) "State agency" shall have the same meaning as "agency" as defined in
2 R.S. 39:2.
3 B.(1) Prior to entering into or renewing a contract with a state agency, a
4 contracting entity shall submit information and documentation to the legislative
5 auditor and be approved in the manner provided in this Section. The contracting
6 entity shall submit the following information to the legislative auditor:
7 (a)(i) If a legal entity, the official name and domicile address of the
8 contracting entity as reflected in documentation submitted to the secretary of state's
9 office.
10 (ii) If a natural person, the full name and physical address of the contracting
11 entity.
12 (b) If a legal entity, a complete and accurate listing of the owners of the
13 contracting entity, whether in title or beneficial, unless it is a publicly traded entity,
14 and a complete and accurate listing of the board of directors or equivalent governing
15 body, if any, and officers, if any, of the contracting entity.
16 (c) Documentation certifying that all applicable federal, state, and payroll
17 taxes owed by the contracting entity have been paid and are current.
18 (d)(i) Documentation certifying that the contracting entity has a financial
19 statement for its most recent, completed fiscal year that has been compiled by or
20 attested to by a certified public accountant, or if the contracting entity is a nonprofit
21 organization, documentation certifying that the contracting entity has filed a current
22 Form 990 as required by the Internal Revenue Code.
23 (ii) A copy of the most recent financial statement, or if the contracting entity
24 is a nonprofit organization, a copy of its most recent Form 990.
25 (e) Information indicating the type or nature of the contract with the state
26 agency, including whether the contract was publicly bid, competitively bid,
27 competitively negotiated, or let through a noncompetitive process; the value of the
28 contract; and the name of each state agency which is or would be a party to the
29 contract.
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HB NO. 42
1 (f) If the contracting entity is currently subject to the reporting requirements
2 of R.S. 24:513, documentation certifying that the contracting entity has submitted
3 the required reports to the legislative auditor.
4 (g) The names and addresses of all agents, registered lobbyists, and other
5 persons lobbying, as "lobbying" is defined in R.S. 24:51 or R.S. 49:72, on behalf of
6 the contracting entity relative to a contract or potential contract with the state or an
7 appropriation or grant.
8 (h) Any additional information required to determine compliance with the
9 minimum qualifications to contract with a state agency or receive state monies
10 established pursuant to Subparagraph (3)(a) of this Subsection.
11 (i) Documentation of the percentage of minority, women, and local
12 ownership of the contracting entity.
13 (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of the introductory paragraph of
14 Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, for contracts entered into by the Department of
15 Economic Development regarding specific economic development projects, the
16 contracting entity shall submit the information required by Paragraph (1) of this
17 Subsection no less than thirty days prior to the execution of the contract.
18 (3)(a) Any additional information required pursuant to Subparagraph (1)(h)
19 of this Subsection shall be established by the Legislative Audit Advisory Council at
20 a public meeting held no later than February first of each year to be effective for the
21 subsequent fiscal year and thereafter except as modified by the council.
22 (b) The legislative auditor shall post all requirements on his website.
23 C. The legislative auditor shall establish a system to evaluate reports, audits,
24 and financial statements submitted pursuant to this Section, subject to the approval
25 of the Legislative Audit Advisory Council.
26 D.(1) The legislative auditor shall evaluate the information submitted
27 pursuant to this Section and make a determination regarding whether the information
28 is complete and accurate. If the legislative auditor determines that the information
29 submitted by the contracting entity is complete and accurate, he shall immediately
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1 place the name of the contracting entity on a list of approved contracting entities that
2 have complied with the requirements of Subsection B of this Section and shall post
3 and keep an updated list of approved contracting entities on his website.
4 (2) The legislative auditor shall establish criteria to remove a contracting
5 entity from the list of approved contracting entities, subject to the approval of the
6 Legislative Audit Advisory Council.
7 E. A contracting entity that appears on the list of approved contracting
8 entities on the legislative auditor's website shall be eligible, pursuant to this Section,
9 to request and receive state monies pursuant to a contract. Any contracting entity
10 which does not appear on the list of approved contracting entities on the legislative
11 auditor's website shall be ineligible to request or receive state monies pursuant to a
12 contract.
13 F.(1) Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph (B)(2) of this Section, no
14 state agency shall contract with any contracting entity which does not appear on the
15 list of approved contracting entities on the legislative auditor's website.
16 (2) No state agency shall pay monies to a contracting entity which does not
17 appear on the list of approved contracting entities on the legislative auditor's website.
18 G.(1) All submissions of information by a contracting entity as required by
19 this Section shall be made in an electronic format designated by the legislative
20 auditor.
21 (2) The legislative auditor shall maintain the information submitted pursuant
22 to this Section on his website and shall provide for the ability for the public to easily
23 obtain information regarding each contracting entity, including links to any relevant
24 appropriation or capital outlay information and relevant contract information
25 maintained by the commissioner of administration pursuant to R.S. 39:6.
26 (3) The legislative auditor shall work with the commissioner of
27 administration as necessary to ensure compliance with this Section and R.S.
28 39:366.7.
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HB NO. 42
1 Section 2. R.S. 39:366.7 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
2 §366.7. Contracting entities requesting or receiving state monies; documentation
3 and approval; contract prohibition
4 A. No contracting entity as defined in R.S. 24:525 shall receive or have
5 transferred to it any monies pursuant to a contract from any agency unless the
6 contracting entity is on the list of approved contracting entities on the legislative
7 auditor's website as provided in R.S. 24:525.
8 B.(1) No agency shall pay monies pursuant to a contract to a contracting
9 entity as defined in R.S. 24:525 unless the contracting entity is on the list of
10 approved contracting entities on the legislative auditor's website as provided in R.S.
11 24:525.
12 (2) Except as otherwise provided by R.S. 24:525(B)(2), no agency shall
13 contract with a contracting entity as defined in R.S. 24:525 unless the contracting
14 entity is on the list of approved contracting entities on the legislative auditor's
15 website as provided in R.S. 24:525.
16 Section 3.(A) The requirements for contracting entities contained in Section 1of this
17Act shall become effective on January 1, 2017, and shall apply to contracts and renewals of
18contracts executed on or after January 1, 2017. The prohibitions on contracting entities and
19state agencies contained in Section 1 and Section 2 of this Act shall become effective on July
201, 2017. The legislative auditor, the Legislative Audit Advisory Council, and the
21commissioner of administration shall take all actions necessary to provide for the orderly
22implementation of this Act prior to January 1, 2017, including but not limited to notice of
23the requirements of this Act to each state agency.
24 (B) Except as otherwise provided in Subsection A of this Section, this Act shall
25become effective on July 1, 2016.
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HB NO. 42
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)]
HB 42 Engrossed 2016 First Extraordinary Session Jay Morris
Abstract: Requires a contracting entity to submit information and documents to the
legislative auditor prior to entering into a contract with a state agency. Prohibits
contracting entities from receiving monies and prohibits state agencies paying
monies to or entering into contracts with contracting entities unless requirements are
met.
Proposed law requires each contracting entity prior to entering into a contract with a state
agency to submit the following information to the legislative auditor in an electronic format
designated by the legislative auditor:
(1)If a legal entity, the official name and domicile address of the contracting entity as
reflected in documentation submitted to the secretary of state's office or if a natural
person, the full name and address of the contracting entity.
(2)If a legal entity, a complete and accurate listing of the owners of the contracting
entity, whether in title or beneficial (unless it is publicly traded), and a complete and
accurate listing of the board of directors or equivalent governing body, if any, and
officers, if any, of the contracting entity.
(3)Documentation certifying that all applicable federal, state, and payroll taxes owed
by the contracting entity have been paid and are current.
(4)Documentation certifying that the contracting entity has a financial statement for its
most recent, completed fiscal year that has been compiled by or attested to by a
certified public accountant, or if the contracting entity is a nonprofit organization,
documentation certifying that the contracting entity has filed a current Form 990 as
required by the Internal Revenue Code along with a copy of the financial statement
or Form 990.
(5)Information indicating the type or nature of the contract with the state agency,
including how the contract was let, the value of the contract, and the name of each
state agency which is a party to the contract.
(6)If the contracting entity is currently subject to the audit requirements of present law
(R.S. 24:513) documentation certifying the contracting entity has submitted the
required reports to the legislative auditor.
(7)The names and addresses of all agents, registered lobbyists, and persons lobbying (as
defined pursuant to the present law regarding executive branch and legislative branch
lobbying) on behalf of the contracting entity relative to a contract or potential
contract with the state or an appropriation or grant.
(8)Any additional information required to determine compliance with the minimum
qualifications to contract with a state agency or receive state monies (established by
the Legislative Audit Advisory Council).
(9)Documentation of the percentage of minority, women, and local ownership of the
contracting entity.
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Proposed law requires the legislative auditor to establish a system to evaluate information
submitted subject to the approval of the Legislative Audit Advisory Council and to evaluate
and make a determination if the information submitted by a contracting entity is complete
and accurate. Provides that if it is, he shall immediately place the name of the entity on the
list of approved contracting entities and shall post and keep an updated list on his website.
Proposed law further requires the legislative auditor to establish criteria to remove a
contracting entity from the list of approved contracting entities, subject to the approval of
the Legislative Audit Advisory Council.
Proposed law provides that a contracting entity which appears on the list of approved
contracting entities on the legislative auditor's website shall be eligible to request and receive
state monies and any entity which is not on the list is ineligible. Proposed law prohibits an
agency from paying monies pursuant to a contract to a contracting entity unless the
contracting entity is on the list of approved contracting entities on the legislative auditor's
website. Further prohibits an agency from contracting with a contracting entity, unless the
entity is on the list of approved contracting entities on the legislative auditor's website
(provides a limited exception for certain contracts with the Dept. of Economic
Development).
Proposed law defines "state agency", "contract", "contracting entity", "governmental entity",
and "person" for its purposes. Specifically excludes governmental entities; any public,
private, or parochial school, college, or university; and any electric power cooperative or
provider or investor owned public utility that is regulated by the Public Service Commission
(PSC) or by the governing authority of the city of New Orleans from the term "contracting
entity". Specifically excludes from the term "contract" specified contracts entered into by
the Dept. of Revenue and the Dept. of Economic Development.
Proposed law requires the legislative auditor to maintain the information submitted pursuant
to proposed law on his website and to provide for the ability for the public to easily obtain
information regarding each contracting entity, including links to any relevant appropriation
or capital outlay information and relevant contract information maintained by the
commissioner of administration's website pursuant to present law (R.S. 39:6). Further
requires the legislative auditor to work with the commissioner of administration as necessary
to ensure compliance with proposed law.
Effective July 1, 2016; except provides that the requirements on contracting entities
contained in proposed law shall become effective on Jan. 1, 2017, and shall apply to
contracts and renewals of contracts executed on or after Jan. 1, 2017; the prohibitions on
contracting entities and state agencies contained in proposed law shall become effective on
July 1, 2017. Provides that the legislative auditor, Legislative Audit Advisory Council, and
the commissioner of administration shall take all actions necessary to provide for the orderly
implementation of proposed law prior to Jan. 1, 2017.
(Adds R.S. 24:525 and R.S. 39:366.7)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Appropriations to the
original bill:
1. Require a contracting entity to submit documentation of the percentage of
minority, women, and local ownership of a contracting entity to the Legislative
Auditor.
2. Change the requirement regarding the submission of information for certain
Dept. of Economic Development contracts from no later than 30 days after the
contract is executed to no less than than 30 days prior to execution of the
contract.
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