_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT providing that a tie vote by the legislative audit committee does not negate the legislative auditor's continued employment or reappointment; AMENDING SECTIONS 5-13-302 AND 5-13-303, MCA; and PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 5-13-302, MCA, is amended to read:

"5-13-302. Appointment and qualifications. (1) (a) The committee shall appoint the legislative auditor and set the legislative auditor's salary in accordance with the rules for classification and pay adopted by the legislative council.

(b) A tie vote by the committee does not negate approval of the legislative auditor's continued employment after initial appointment or reappointment.

(2) The legislative auditor shall hold a degree from an accredited college or university with a major in accounting or an allied field and shall have at least 2 years' experience in the field of governmental accounting and auditing."

Section 2. Section 5-13-303, MCA, is amended to read:

"5-13-303. Term and removal. (1) The legislative auditor is responsible solely to the legislature.

(2) (a) The legislative auditor shall hold office for a term of 2 years beginning with July 1 of each even-numbered year.

(b) A tie vote by the committee does not negate approval of the legislative auditor's continued employment after initial appointment or reappointment after a 2-year period.

(c) The committee may remove the legislative auditor for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in office at any time after notice and hearing."

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.