Bill Summary for S 328 (2015-2016)

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Summary date: 

Mar 18 2015

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2015-2016 Session
Senate Bill 328 (Public) Filed Wednesday, March 18, 2015
AN ACT TO MODIFY THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES PROGRAM AUDITING FUNCTION.
Intro. by J. Davis.

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Bill summary

Repeals Section 10.15(a) of SL 2013-360, which repealed subsection (m) of GS 115D-5 regarding the auditing function of community college programs.

Instead, amends GS 115D-5(m) as the title indicates. Directs the Office of the State Auditor (was, the State Board of Community Colleges) to maintain an accountability (was, education program auditing) function. Replaces the requirement for an annual audit with a requirement for periodic reviews of each community college operating under the provisions of GS Chapter 115D. Provides that the compliance review (was, annual audit) is to ensure: (1) accurate reporting to the Systems Office of data used to allocate state funds among community colleges and (2) that community colleges are consistent with the law in their charging and waiving of tuition and registration fees. Provides additional criteria to be followed in conducting the compliance reviews. Directs the State Board of Community Colleges to adopt rules governing the frequency, scope, and standard of materiality for compliance reviews. Effective July 1, 2015, applying to compliance reviews beginning with the 2015-16 academic year.  

Amends GS 115D-58.16 to require community colleges to contract with the State Auditor to perform the required financial audit (previously, allowed community colleges to also contract with a certified public accountant). Provides that the community colleges must use state funds to pay for the contracts (previously, allowed but did not require the use of state funds). Effective July 1, 2015, applying to compliance reviews beginning with the 2015-16 academic year.