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SB 858MARYLANDSession 2026State BillSigned into law

Enacted

Maryland creates Audit and Finance Compliance Unit to track state agency corrective actions

Original title: Department of Budget and Management - Audit and Finance Compliance Unit - Establishment

Last action · May 12, 2026: Approved by the Governor - Chapter 365Sponsors: Shelly Hettleman and 41 others

Companion · HB 1369same policy, House version

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

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Committee

Floor Vote

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What This Bill Does

Maryland establishes the Audit and Finance Compliance Unit within the Department of Budget and Management to monitor executive branch agencies in correcting audit findings, providing direct assistance, and maintaining a public tracking dashboard by October 1, 2027.

Why it matters

State executive agencies with chronic or unsatisfactory audit findings receive specialized hands-on monitoring and technical assistance, while specific legislative and executive leaders gain access to unredacted cybersecurity audit findings.

Background

The Office of Legislative Audits conducts compliance and financial audits of Maryland state and local government units, reporting deficiencies that agencies are required to correct. context
Senate Bill 858 was sponsored by Senator Hettleman and enacted during the 2026 regular session of the Maryland General Assembly. context

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Executive Branch agencies

Executive agencies are subject to direct monitoring, technical assistance, and corrective action reviews by the newly established Audit and Finance Compliance Unit.

Directly affected

Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee

The committee receives annual reports and dashboard status updates from the compliance unit and can request direct assistance for agencies with unsatisfactory audits.

Directly affected

Department of Budget and Management

The department houses the new compliance unit, and its Secretary is authorized to adopt regulations to carry out the subtitle.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main purpose of the Audit and Finance Compliance Unit?

The unit is responsible for monitoring executive branch agencies in correcting audit findings, providing guidance and technical assistance, and offering direct support to agencies with recurring or unsatisfactory audits.

When will the public audit dashboard be fully operational?

The dashboard must be fully operational on or before October 1, 2027.

Which agencies receive direct assistance from the new unit?

Agencies that have four or more or those with unsatisfactory audits requested by the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee receive direct assistance.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

23 actions

May 12, 2026Governor of MarylandEnrolled
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 365
Apr 10, 2026SenateFloor
Passed Enrolled
Apr 10, 2026SenateFloor
Third Reading Passed (46-0)
Apr 10, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Concurs House Amendments
Apr 8, 2026HouseFloor
Third Reading Passed (135-0)
Apr 8, 2026HouseFloor
Second Reading Passed with Amendments

Show 17 earlier actions

Apr 8, 2026House
Favorable with Amendments { 833027/1 Adopted
Apr 8, 2026HouseCommittee
Favorable with Amendments Report by Government, Labor, and Elections
Mar 26, 2026House
Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m.
Mar 24, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred Government, Labor, and Elections
Mar 23, 2026SenateFloor
Third Reading Passed (42-0)
Mar 23, 2026SenateFloor
Second Reading Passed with Amendments
Mar 23, 2026Senate
Floor Amendment { 543524/1 (Senator Hester) Adopted
Mar 23, 2026SenateFloor
Motion Returned Second Reading (Senator Hester) Adopted
Mar 20, 2026SenateFloor
Second Reading Passed with Amendments
Mar 20, 2026Senate
Floor Amendment { 603529/1 (Senator Ready) Adopted
Mar 20, 2026SenateFloor
Motion Special Order until Later Today (Senator Ready) Adopted
Mar 20, 2026SenateFloor
Motion Returned Second Reading (Senator Ready) Adopted
Mar 19, 2026SenateFloor
Second Reading Passed with Amendments
Mar 19, 2026Senate
Favorable with Amendments { 913920/1 Adopted
Mar 19, 2026SenateCommittee
Favorable with Amendments Report by Budget and Taxation
Feb 11, 2026Senate
Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.
Feb 6, 2026SenateIntroduced
First Reading Budget and Taxation

Version history

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