Government Audit and Accountability of Federally Funded State-Administered Programs Act
What changed between versions
The bill is reframed from a 'High Risk List' to a 'vulnerability assessment,' broadening the analytical framework GAO must use.
Scope expanded from State and local governments only to include Federal, State, and local level program areas and administrative practices.
Sources of information broadened from Federal and State auditors, inspectors general, and attorneys general to include any Federal, State, or local auditor, comptroller, treasurer, inspector general, attorney general, or similar official.
New requirement (b)(3) for GAO to assess which program areas and practices have demonstrated effectiveness versus limited effectiveness in mitigating waste, fraud, abuse, and improper payments.
Recommendations now go to Federal agencies as well as Congress (previously Congress only), and must specifically include recommendations to improve eligibility determination and enrollment processes.
GAO's authority to supplement existing materials is significantly expanded: the original only allowed 'independent analysis of publicly available Federal program data,' while the new version permits 'additional analysis and new audit work, including by drawing on prior and ongoing work.'
The requirement that GAO's methodology be 'consistent with Government Auditing Standards' was removed, giving GAO more discretion in form and methodology.
New definitions section added for 'improper payment' (cross-referencing 31 U.S.C. 3351(4)) and 'State' (cross-referencing 31 U.S.C. 6720(a)(4)).
