SB 118: State Accounting Office; any payroll system utilized by the state allows for credit union deductions; require

Senate Bill 118

By: Senators Lucas of the 26th and Brass of the 6th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend Article 1 of Chapter 5B of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the State Accounting Office, so as to require that any payroll system utilized by the state allows for credit union deductions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Article 1 of Chapter 5B of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the State Accounting Office, is amended by revising Code Section 50-5B-3, relating to powers and duties, as follows:

"50-5B-3.

(a) The state accounting officer shall:

(1) Prescribe state-wide accounting policies, procedures, and practices;

(2) Prescribe, develop, operate, and maintain uniform state accounting systems for all state government organizations which facilitate financial accounting and reporting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and also meet state and federal accounting and financial reporting requirements;

(3) Prescribe the manner in which disbursements shall be made by state government organizations;

(4) Prescribe and supervise the installation of any changes in the state accounting information systems necessary to secure and maintain internal control and facilitate the recording of accounting data for the purpose of preparing reliable, timely, and meaningful statements and reports;

(5) Manage the state's accounting, payroll, and human capital systems; provided, however, that any such systems must allow for payroll deductions to any credit union identified by a payee;

(6) Using generally accepted accounting principles, prepare the state's financial statements and other reports in accordance with legal requirements;

(7) Provide annual financial statements and other reports to the state auditor and other auditors, as appropriate, for review and certification when required by statute or federal regulation;

(8) Develop interim reports on the financial condition and budgetary compliance of the state and various state organizations;

(9) Determine the proper classification for accounting and reporting purposes of all assets, liabilities, revenues, expenditures, fund balances, funds, and accounts in compliance with legal requirements and generally accepted accounting principles and prescribe a uniform classification of accounts and other accounting identifiers which shall be used by all state organizations;

(10) Develop processes and systems to improve accountability and enhanced collection of accounts receivable due to the state. In developing these processes, the state accounting officer may prescribe procedures to allow for the recognition of uncollectible accounts for financial reporting purposes. He or she may also develop guidelines to allow uncollectible debts to be removed from active collection processes. This recognition shall not remove or diminish the state's claim on accounts or debt owed to the state; and

(11) Develop processes and systems to improve accountability and enhance efficiency for disbursement of funds and management of accounts payable.

(b) The state accounting officer may recommend processes and systems to improve the cash management practices of the state to the State Depository Board. The state accounting officer in cooperation with the Office of the State Treasurer may prescribe policies and procedures to implement the policies of the board."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.