SB 1543: EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS; PURCHASING AGENCIES; DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS; SPENDING CAPS; AUDIT; REPORTS

Requires each purchasing agency to provide justification for hiring external consultants.  Caps the amount each agency can spend on external consultants.  Requires each agency to seek approval from the Legislature for consulting contracts exceeding a certain dollar amount.  Requires each agency to disclose new contracts with external consultants.  Requires annual reports to the Legislature.  Requires the Compliance Audit Unit to conduct regular audits of agency consultant contracts to assess cost-effectiveness and compliance.  Requires each chief procurement officer to ensure that inherent government functions are not delegated to a contractor.  Effective 1/1/2491.  (SD2)