FISCAL NOTE

Senate Bill 38 as introduced proposes a constitutional amendment that, if ratified, would abolish the Office of State Auditor in January 2031 and upon abolishment would transfer the functions, duties and responsibilities previously performed by the Auditor to the Office of the State Treasurer and responsibility of the State Auditor to appoint members to each county board of registrars to the State Treasurer. Any reduction in the obligations of the State General Fund which could result from abolition of the Auditor’s Office upon ratification of this amendment would be dependent upon the extent to which additional funding is appropriated to the Office of the State Treasurer to perform the functions, duties, and responsibilities transferred to that office by the bill. For fiscal year 2022 the State General Fund appropriation to the State Auditor’s Office is $853,172. This bill will increase the proclamation expenses of the Governor, paid from the State General Fund, by an estimated $100,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023.

As substituted and reported by the Committee on Governmental Affairs, removes the provision transferring responsibility for appointing members to county board registrars to the Office of the State Treasurer.