Report 2013-036 Recommendation 11 Responses

Report 2013-036: Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund: Counties' Benefit Committees Did Not Always Comply With State Laws for Distribution Fund Grants (Release Date: March 2014)

Recommendation #11 To: Controller's Office, State

Unless the Legislature amends current state law, the Controller should implement its plan to modify its distribution process beginning with fiscal year 2013-14 grant awards to ensure that it only releases funds directly to approved grant recipients.

60-Day Agency Response

In February 2014 the State Controllers Office (SCO) revised the distribution processes and revised the Authorization Form to Release Funds from the County Tribal Casino Account to ensure that the local Indian Gaming Local Benefit Committees provide the information for each local government entity for which a grant has been approved so that funds are released directly to the approved grant recipients. The revised Authorization From to Release Funds from the County Tribal Casino Account form includes Government Code 12715(k)(1), funds will be sent directly to the local government entity for which a grant has been approved by the committee. SCO notified San Diego County, in writing, on January 23, 2014 that we will deny and no longer process release of funds forms that direct payment to the county unless the county is the specific grant recipient.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Fully Implemented

All Recommendations in 2013-036

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.