Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says a portion of the state Auditor’s budget requiring permission of the Legislature’s Audit and Fiscal Review Committee before the Auditor does certain kinds of audits is ‘likely unconstitutional.”
In a formal opinion, requested by State Auditor Josh Gallion, Stenehjem says the language diminishes the Auditor’s independence, and entrusts an “inherently executive power” in the Legislative branch. He said if a court were to rule, it would likely find it to be a violation of the separation of powers doctrine.
The language was inserted into the budget bill in a House-Senate conference committee meeting shortly before the end of the Legislative session.