§6-9D-5. Guidelines for identifying potential for declarations of fiscal watch or fiscal emergency; rulemaking authority.

(a) The State Auditor or a designee shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code, setting forth guidelines for identifying fiscal practices and budgetary conditions of local government that, if uncorrected, could result in declaration of a fiscal watch or fiscal emergency.

(b) If the State Auditor or a designee determines that a local government is engaging in any of the practices set forth in the legislative rule promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this section or that any of those conditions exist, the State Auditor or a designee may declare the local government to be under a fiscal watch.

(c) The State Auditor or a designee, may visit and inspect any local government that is declared to be under a fiscal watch. The State Auditor or a designee may provide technical assistance to the local government in implementing proposals to eliminate the practices or budgetary conditions that prompted the declaration of fiscal watch and may make recommendations concerning those proposals.