Texas House Bill HB2082

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to recovery audits of payments made by state agencies to vendors.

Impact

The modification of the Government Code sections within this bill suggests a strategic shift towards increased oversight over state financial practices. It lowers the threshold for mandatory recovery audits from $100 million to $50 million in state agency expenditures during a fiscal biennium, thereby potentially increasing the number of audits conducted. The changes provided in HB2082 are expected to enhance the scrutiny of financial dealings with vendors, thereby promoting transparency and efficiency in how state funds are managed.

Summary

House Bill 2082 addresses the efficiency and accuracy of payments made by state agencies to vendors through mandated recovery audits. This bill aims to establish a structured approach for identifying and recovering overpayments that may occur during state transactions. By allowing the comptroller to contract consultants specifically for these audits, the bill reinforces the state's commitment to fiscal responsibility and accountability in governmental operations.

Contention

While the bill primarily focuses on improving financial oversight, potential areas of contention may arise from how the audits are conducted and the impact of consultancy fees on state budgets. The provisions allowing consultants to pursue judicial actions for recovery of overpaid amounts could raise questions regarding the appropriateness of using external consultants in state financial matters. Additionally, there may be concerns regarding data confidentiality and the cooperative relationship between state agencies and vendors, as increased auditing could strain these relationships.