SUMMARY:  LC 28 7250  HB 192/CSFA  As Passed

Amends 16-9-30 relating to the illegal use of financial transaction cards to add all governments and purchasing cards to definitions

Adds a new code section, 36-80-24, to prohibit locally elected officials, including school board members, from being issued or using a government purchasing card or government credit card unless certain conditions are met.

REQUIREMENTS:

• authorization for use of cards must be by vote in a public meeting and adopt policies to include
  • designation of officials authorized to be issues such purchasing or credit cards
  • require authorized users to sign an agreement that cards will be used only in accordance with approved policies
  • transaction limits on the use of cards
  • descriptions of approved purchases
  • descriptions of unapproved purchases
  • designation of a purchasing card administrator
  • a process for auditing and reviewing purchased made by the cards
  • procedures for addressing violations of purchasing policies and penalties for doing so including revocation of card privileges and misdemeanor prosecution  
• purchases must directly relate to official duties
• purchases are in accordance with policies and guidelines adopted by the governing authority following provisions defined in the legislation
• documents related to purchases are available for public inspection
• local governments are to promulgate policies by January 1, 2016 

EFFECTIVE DATE:  

July 1, 2015