Senate committee substitute adds the following to the 1st edition.

Amends GS 159-24, now requiring every local government and public authority to have a finance officer appointed by the local government, public authority, or designated official at all times, holding office at the pleasure of the appointing board of official (previously more generally required the appointment of a finance officer to hold office at the pleasure of the appointing board or official). Amends GS 159-25, granting finance officers the power to contract with outside entities to ensure fulfillment of the enumerated duties of officers under the statute, excluding the duties to supervise the investment of idle funds unless otherwise allowed by law and to attend training required of the Local Government Commission (Commission). Authorizes the Commission to adopt rules establishing minimum qualifications for finance officers. Adds to the circumstances in which the Commission can require any finance officer or any other employee who performs the duties of a finance officer to participate in training to now include: (1) the employing local government or public authority has an internal control material weakness or significant deficiency in the most recently completed financial audit, and (2) the finance officer fails to annually meet or attest to the minimum qualifications of the position. Additionally authorizes the Commission to require a local government or public authority to contract with outside entities pursuant to the new provision if the local government or public authority has received a unit letter from the Commission due to noncompliance with the Chapter or has an internal control finding in the most recently completed financial audit.

Makes conforming changes to the act's titles.