Section 8546.

It is the intent of the Legislature that the California State Auditor's Office have the independence necessary to conduct all of its audits in conformity with "Government Auditing Standards" published by the Comptroller General of the United States and the standards published by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, free from influence of existing state control agencies that could be the subject of audits conducted by the office. Therefore, all of the following exclusions apply to the office:

(a) Notwithstanding Section 19790, the California State Auditor shall establish an equal employment opportunity program that shall meet the criteria and objectives established by the State Personnel Board. The California State Auditor shall report annually to the State Personnel Board and the commission regarding the program.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 12470, the California State Auditor shall be responsible for maintaining its payroll system. In lieu of audits of the uniform payroll system performed by the Controller or any other department, the office shall contract pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 8544.5 for an annual audit of its payroll and financial operations by an independent public accountant.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 13292, the California State Auditor is delegated the authority to establish and administer the fiscal and administrative policies of the office in conformity with the State Administrative Manual without oversight by the Department of Finance, the Department of Information Technology, or any other state agency.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 11032, the California State Auditor may approve actual and necessary traveling expenses for travel outside the state for officers and employees of the office.

(e) Notwithstanding Section 11033, the California State Auditor or officers and employees of the office may be absent from the state on business of the state upon approval of the California State Auditor or Chief Deputy California State Auditor.

(f) Sections 11040, 11042, and 11043 shall not apply to the California State Auditor's Office. The California State Auditor may employ legal counsel under those terms that he or she deems necessary to conduct the legal business of, or render legal counsel to, the California State Auditor.

(g) The provisions and definitions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 11342.510) of Chapter 3.5 of Division 3 shall not be construed to include the California State Auditor's Office. The California State Auditor may adopt regulations necessary for the operation of the office pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Division 3), but these regulations shall not be subject to the review or approval of the Office of Administrative Law.

(h) The California State Auditor shall be exempt from all contract requirements of the Public Contract Code that require oversight, review, or approval by the Department of General Services or any other state agency. The California State Auditor may contract on behalf of the State of California for goods and services that he or she deems necessary for the furtherance of the purposes of the office.

(i) (1) Subject to Article VII of the California Constitution, the California State Auditor is delegated the authority to establish and administer the personnel policies and practices of the California State Auditor's Office in conformity with Part 2.6 (commencing with Section 19815) of Division 5 of Title 2 without oversight or approval by the Department of Human Resources.

(2) At the election of the California State Auditor, officers and employees of the office may participate in benefits programs administered by the Department of Human Resources subject to the same conditions for participation that apply to civil service employees in other state agencies. For the purposes of benefits programs administration only, the California State Auditor is subject to the determinations of the department. The California State Auditor's Office shall reimburse the Department of Human Resources for the normal administrative costs incurred by the Department of Human Resources and for any extraordinary costs resulting from the inclusion of the office employees in these state benefit programs.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 281, Sec. 25. Effective January 1, 2013.)