A committee of legislators charged with ensuring that state agencies conform to the law elected its officers at a recent meeting.
Sen. Mitch Tropila, D-Great Falls, was elected to chair the bipartisan Legislative Audit Committee. Rep. Dee Brown, R-Hungry Horse, was named vice chair, and Rep. Bill Wilson, D-Great Falls, will be committee secretary.
The audit committee is the only legislative committee specifically required by the Montana Constitution. It consists of six members from the Senate and six from the House of Representatives.
"Our job is to insure that Montana taxpayer dollars are used judiciously and according to state law," said Sen. Tropila. "The committee will cooperate diligently to accomplish this important task."
The audit committee appoints, consults with, and advises the legislative auditor, Tori Hunthausen. It also reviews financial, performance, and information systems audit reports submitted by the Legislative Audit Division, releases those reports to the public, and serves as a conduit between the legislative auditor and the Legislature.
The audit committee is one of three committees that oversees administration of the Legislative Branch. The others are the Legislative Council and Legislative Finance Committee.
Other members of the audit committee are Sens. Greg Barkus, R-Kalispell; John Brenden, R-Scobey; Taylor Brown, R-Huntley; Mike Cooney, D-Helena; and Cliff Larsen, D-Missoula; and Reps. Betsy Hands, D-Missoula; Scott Mendenhall, R-Clancy; Carolyn Pease-Lopez, D-Billings; and Wayne Stahl, R-Saco.
