Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day period in order to provide for timely reporting to the Legislature after the end of fiscal year 2003; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §243-B is enacted to read:

§243-B.__Additional duties

The Department of Audit shall:

1.__Report amount of cash on hand.__Beginning July 31, 2003, report annually to the Legislature the amount of cash on hand at the end of each fiscal year for each department of State Government;

2.__Account for federal grants.__Account for federal grants at the end of each fiscal year to the Legislature and explain the reimbursement of state officers for any items paid out of the General Fund;

3.__Revise accounting manual.__Revise and update on a regular basis the accounting manual maintained by the Department of Audit;

4.__Provide training.__Provide training to appropriate personnel across department lines to establish systemwide uniform financial practices;

5.__Require certain audits be performed by certified public accountant.__Require all audits performed by the Department of Audit over $1,000,000 to be performed by a certified public accountant; and

6.__Establish audit practice review board.__Establish an audit practice review board of volunteers from the private sector to give advice to the State on best practices and accounting updates.