Senator Alexander proposes the following amendment (SF-4337.AA0010S):

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

SECTION X. Section 2-15-50 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 Section 2-15-50. For the purpose of this chapter "state agencies" means all officers, departments, boards, commissions, institutions, universities, colleges, charter school sponsors as defined in Section 59-40-40, bodies politic and corporate of the State and any other person or any other administrative unit of state government or corporate outgrowth of state government, expending or encumbering state funds by virtue of an appropriation from the General Assembly, or handling money on behalf of the State, or holding any trust funds from any source derived, but does not mean or include counties.
 For the purposes of this chapter, "audit" means a full-scope examination of and investigation into all state agency matters necessary to make a determination of:
 (a)(1) whether the entity is acquiring, protecting, and using its resources, such as personnel, property, and space, economically and efficiently;
  (2) the causes of inefficiencies or uneconomical practices; and
  (3) whether the entity has complied with laws and regulations concerning matters of economy and efficiency; and
 (b)(1) the extent to which the desired results or benefits established by the General Assembly or other authorizing body are achieved;
  (2) the effectiveness of organizations, programs, activities, or functions and whether these organizations, programs, activities, or functions should be continued, revised, or eliminated; and
  (3) whether the entity has complied with laws and regulations applicable to the program.

Amend the bill further, SECTION 3, by striking Section 2-15-61(A) and inserting:

 (A) For the purposes of carrying out its audit duties under this chapter, the Legislative Audit Council shall have access to theall records and facilities, irrespective of confidentiality, of every state agency during that agency's operating hours with the exception of reports and returns of the South Carolina Department of Revenue as provided in Sections 12-7-1680 and 12-35-1530. Staff of the Legislative Audit Council shall have access to the persons and facilities of every state agency during that agency's operating hours. Staff of the Legislative Audit Council shall have access to all relevant records and facilities of any private organization receiving state or federal public funds relating to the management and expenditures of state or federal public funds during the organization's normal operating hours. Staff of the Legislative Audit Council shall not have access to the records of private organizations that are not related to the management and expenditures of state or federal public funds. The Legislative Audit Council must be permitted to observe the proceedings of any state agency, board, commission, or other body corporate and politic including, but not limited to, executive sessions and closed hearings. The Legislative Audit Council must be permitted to observe the proceedings, including executive sessions and closed hearings of private organizations, to the extent that the proceedings discuss the management and expenditures of state or federal public funds.

Amend the bill further, SECTION 3, by striking Section 2-15-61(D)(1) and (2) and inserting:

  (1) "Access to records" means, but is not limited to, the production of records and the ability to inspect, print, copy, download, and otherwise obtain records from an agency or private organization receiving state or federal public funds upon request by the Legislative Audit Council for the purpose of placing in Legislative Audit Council records.
  (2) "Records" means, but is not limited to, data, reports, audits, documents, correspondence, emails, text messages, maps, photographs, recordings, contracts, or other materials and information, regardless of physical or electronic form or storage, prepared, owned, used, received, in the possession, custody, or control of, or retained by the agency or private organization receiving state or federal public funds, whether confidential or not. Unless requested or approved by Legislative Audit Council staff, no records are to be provided with redactions or omissions. The Legislative Audit Council must follow appropriate procedures to ensure the confidentiality and security of this information.

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.