§ 19-4-105 - Continuing studies and investigations. - Arkansas Statutes

19-4-105. Continuing studies and investigations.

(a) The Chief Fiscal Officer of the State is directed to make continuing studies and investigations of the operation of state agencies and to make recommendations to the General Assembly, the Legislative Council, and the Governor about improvements which should be made in order to:

(1) Safeguard against excessive expenditures of appropriations and funds;

(2) Promote economy, efficiency, and control in the operation of state agencies;

(3) Properly execute budgets; and

(4) Accomplish the purposes of this chapter as intended by the General Assembly.

(b) (1) All internal audit documentation, including notes, memoranda, preliminary drafts of audit reports, and other data gathered in the preparation of internal audit reports by the Internal Audit Section, created within the Department of Finance and Administration by Governor's Executive Order 98-08, are privileged and confidential and are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, 25-19-101 et seq., except as provided in subdivision (b)(2) of this section.

(2) (A) The exemption shall not apply to completed internal audits of the Internal Audit Section after a final report of the internal audit has been presented to the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State and to the Governor or the Governor's designee.

(B) The final report and copies of any supporting documentation shall then be open to public inspection and copying, except for documents that are exempt from disclosure under other law.