CS/CS/HB 1309 - Governmental Accountability

• Creates public records requirements for contractors: all service contracts with public agencies must include provisions for contractors to maintain public records, provide public access on same terms as agencies, protect exempt records, and transfer records to agencies upon contract termination.

• Establishes grant manager positions for state-funded agreements: agencies must designate grant managers for agreements funded with state or federal financial assistance, with contract managers responsible for agreements exceeding $100,000 annually required to complete training and obtain certification by December 1, 2014.

• Requires Chief Financial Officer audits of executed contracts and grant agreements: CFO must audit contract and grant agreement documents, discuss findings with agency officials, and agency heads must respond within 30 days with corrective action plans.

• Eliminates vendor list maintenance requirement and authorizes Department of Management Services to lead joint purchasing agreements with governmental entities for commodities and contractual services used by multiple agencies.

• Requires contracts to be awarded to lowest responsive bidder and mandates contract manager training and certification requirements, with training conducted jointly by Department of Management Services and Department of Financial Services.