Implementation of State Auditor's Recommendations - 2005
Classified by Standing/Policy Committee
On this page we include links to summaries of audit reports we issued during the previous two years that relate to policy areas that generally correspond to the Assembly and Senate standing committees.
Because an audit may involve more than one issue or because it may cross the jurisdictions of more than one standing committee, an audit report summary could be included in more than one policy area. For example, if we audited a computer system at a university, the audit report summary may be listed under two policy areas - Education and Information Technology.
We also provide the following links to our audit report summaries classified by auditee/entity and by budget subcommittee.
Back to Overview
Classified by Auditee/Entity
Classified by Budget Subcommittee
View the executive summary for the original audit report by clicking on the report number. The executive summary includes a link to the complete original audit report in PDF format.
View the summary of each audit report and the status of the auditee's implementation of the State Auditor's recommendations for each report by clicking on the report title.
View the complete Special Report to Assembly and Senate Standing/Policy Committees or view individual sections of the report by using the following links:
Report Cover
Transmittal Letter
Introduction
Audit Report Summaries by Policy Area
| Appendix A | — | Summary of Recommendations for Legislative Consideration by Policy Area |
| Appendix B | — | Summary of Monetary Benefits Identified In Audit Reports From July 1, 2001, Through December 31, 2004 |
| Index | — | State And Local Entities with Recommendations from Audits Included In This Special Report |
Policy Areas
Aging and Long-Term Care
Agriculture and Water Resources
Appropriations
Business and Professions and Governmental Organization
Education
Elections and Reapportionment
Energy, Utilities, and Communications
Environmental Safety and Quality and Toxic Materials
Health and Human Services
Information Technology
Insurance
Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy
Judiciary
Labor, Employment, and Industrial Relations
Local Government
Privacy and Public Safety
Public Employees, Retirement, and Social Security
Revenue and Taxation
Transportation
Veterans Affairs
Report Number 2003-111 (Issued 2004-04-13)
Oversight of Long-Term Care Programs: Opportunities Exist to Streamline State Oversight Activities
Report Number 2002-120 (Issued 2003-06-26)
California Veterans Board: Without a Clear Understanding of the Extent of Its Authority, the Board Has Not Created Sufficient Policies Nor Provided Effective Oversight to the Department of Veterans Affairs
Agriculture and Water Resources
Report Number 2003-137 (Issued 2004-06-24)
California's Independent Water Districts: Reserve Amounts Are Not Always Sufficiently Justified, and Some Expenses and Contract Decisions Are Questionable
Report Number 2002-016 (Issued 2004-06-09)
Water Replenishment District of Southern California: Although the District Has Addressed Many of Our Previous Concerns, Problems Still Exist
Report Number 2003-136 (Issued 2004-06-03)
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: Its Administrative Controls Need to Be Improved to Ensure an Appropriate Level of Checks and Balances Over Public Resources
Report Number 2003-102 (Issued 2003-12-17)
Water Quality Control Boards: Could Improve Their Administration of Water Quality Improvement Projects Funded by Enforcement Actions
Report Number 2002-009 (Issued 2003-04-02)
California Energy Markets: The State's Position Has Improved, Due to Efforts by the Department of Water Resources and Other Factors, but Cost Issues and Legal Challenges Continue
Report Number 2004-140 (Issued 2004-12-22)
Department of Transportation: Various Factors Increased Its Cost Estimates for Toll Bridge Retrofits, and Its Program Management Needs Improving
Report Number 2003-131 (Issued 2004-05-13)
Franchise Tax Board: Significant Program Changes Are Needed to Improve Collections of Delinquent Labor Claims.
Report Number 2003-107 (Issued 2003-11-06)
California Department of Education: The Extensive Number and Breadth of Categorical Programs Challenges the State's Ability to Reform and Oversee Them
Report Number 2003-106 (Issued 2003-10-15)
State Mandates: The High Level of Questionable Costs Claimed Highlights the Need for Structural Reforms of the Process.
Report Number 2002-123.2 (Issued 2003-08-06)
Federal Funds: The State of California Takes Advantage of Available Federal Grants, but Budget Constraints and Other Issues Keep It From Maximizing This Resource
Report Number 2002-124 (Issued 2003-05-13)
Franchise Tax Board: Its Performance Measures Are Insufficient to Justify Requests for New Audit or Collection Program Staff
Business and Professions and Governmental Organization
Report Number 2004-139 (Issued 2004-12-16)
Office of the Secretary of State: Clear and Appropriate Direction Is Lacking in Its Implementation of the Federal Help America Vote Act
Report Number 2004-108 (Issued 2004-11-09)
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: It Could Better Manage Its Credentialing Responsibilities
Report Number 2004-106 (Issued 2004-08-26)
Wireless Enhanced 911: The State Has Successfully Begun Implementation, but Better Monitoring of Expenditures and Wireless 911 Wait Times Is Needed
Report Number 2003-123 (Issued 2004-07-15)
California Children and Families Commissions: Some County Commissions' Contracting Practices Are Lacking, and Both the State and County Commissions Can Improve Their Efforts to Find Funding Partners and Collect Data on Program Performance
Report Number 2003-114 (Issued 2004-07-06)
Department of Mental Health: State and Federal Regulations Have Hampered Its Implementation of Legislation Meant to Strengthen the Status of Psychologists at Its Hospitals
Report Number 2003-122 (Issued 2004-06-22)
California Gambling Control Commission: Although Its Interpretations of the Tribal-State Gaming Compacts Generally Appear Defensible, Some of Its Actions May Have Reduced the Funds Available for Distribution to Tribes
Report Number I2004-2 (Issued 2004-09-23)
Department of General Services: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Employees (Allegation I2003-0703)
Report Number I2003-2 (Issued 2003-09-17)
University of California, San Francisco: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Employees (Allegation I2000-715)
Report Number 2003-105 (Issued 2003-08-20)
California Law Enforcement and Correctional Agencies: With Increased Efforts, They Could Improve the Accuracy and Completeness of Public Information on Sex Offenders
Report Number 2002-117 (Issued 2003-07-31)
Terrorism Readiness: The Office of Homeland Security, Governor's Office of Emergency Services, and California National Guard Need to Improve Their Readiness to Address Terrorism.
Report Number 2002-113 (Issued 2003-07-30)
Governor's Office of Emergency Services: Its Oversight of the State's Emergency Plans and Procedures Needs Improvement While Its Future Ability to Respond to Emergencies May Be Hampered by Aging Equipment and Funding Concerns
Report Number 2002-122 (Issued 2003-06-19)
State Controller's Office: Does Not Always Ensure the Safekeeping, Prompt Distribution, and Collection of Unclaimed Property
Report Number I2003-1 (Issued 2003-04-17)
Health and Human Services Agency Data Center: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Employees (Allegation I2002-652)
Report Number 2002-112 (Issued 2003-03-26)
State Procurement Practices: Proposed Reforms Should Help Safeguard State Resources, but the Potential for Misuse Remains
Report Number 2002-110 (Issued 2003-03-11)
California State University: Its Common Management System Has Higher Than Reported Costs, Less Than Optimal Functionality, and Questionable Procurement and Conflict-of-Interest Practices
Report Number 2004-108 (Issued 2004-11-09)
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: It Could Better Manage Its Credentialing Responsibilities
Report Number 2003-129 (Issued 2004-06-16)
The Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team: Its Recommendations, if Implemented, Should Help Financially Troubled School Districts
Report Number 2002-032 (Issued 2003-12-18)
California's Education Institutions: A Lack of Guidance Results in Their Inaccurate or Inconsistent Reporting of Campus Crime Statistics
Report Number 2003-107 (Issued 2003-11-06)
California Department of Education: The Extensive Number and Breadth of Categorical Programs Challenges the State's Ability to Reform and Oversee Them
Report Number 2002-110 (Issued 2003-03-11)
California State University: Its Common Management System Has Higher Than Reported Costs, Less Than Optimal Functionality, and Questionable Procurement and Conflict-of-Interest Practices
Report Number 2004-139 (Issued 2004-12-16)
Office of the Secretary of State: Clear and Appropriate Direction Is Lacking in Its Implementation of the Federal Help America Vote Act
Energy, Utilities, and Communications
Report Number 2004-106 (Issued 2004-08-26)
Wireless Enhanced 911: The State Has Successfully Begun Implementation, but Better Monitoring of Expenditures and Wireless 911 Wait Times Is Needed
Report Number 2003-121 (Issued 2004-05-12)
California Public Utilities Commission: It Cannot Ensure That It Spends Railroad Safety Program Fees in Accordance With State Law.
Report Number 2003-103 (Issued 2003-11-25)
California Public Utilities Commission: State Law and Regulations Establish Firm Deadlines for Only a Small Number of Its Proceedings
Report Number 2002-009 (Issued 2003-04-02)
California Energy Markets: The State's Position Has Improved, Due to Efforts by the Department of Water Resources and Other Factors, but Cost Issues and Legal Challenges Continue
Environmental Safety and Quality and Toxic Materials
Report Number 2003-102 (Issued 2003-12-17)
Water Quality Control Boards: Could Improve Their Administration of Water Quality Improvement Projects Funded by Enforcement Actions
Report Number 2003-113 (Issued 2003-12-10)
California Integrated Waste Management Board: Its New Regulations Establish Rules for Oversight of Construction and Demolition Debris Sites, but Good Communication and Enforcement Are Also Needed to Help Prevent Threats to Public Health and Safety
Report Number 2002-121 (Issued 2003-07-22)
California Environmental Protection Agency: Insufficient Data Exists on the Number of Abandoned, Idled, or Underused Contaminated Properties, and Liability Concerns and Funding Constraints Can Impede Their Cleanup and Redevelopment.
Report Number 2004-111 (Issued 2004-12-09)
Sex Offender Placement: Departments That Are Responsible for Placing Sex Offenders Face Challenges, and Some Need to Better Monitor Their Costs
Report Number I2004-2 (Issued 2004-09-23)
Department of Health Services: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Employees (Allegation I2003-0853)
Report Number 2003-124 (Issued 2004-08-31)
Department of Health Services: Some of Its Policies and Practices Result in Higher State Costs for the Medical Therapy Program
Report Number 2003-125 (Issued 2004-07-27)
California Department of Corrections: More Expensive Hospital Services and Greater Use of Hospital Facilities Have Driven the Rapid Rise in Contract Payments for Inpatient and Outpatient Care
Report Number 2003-114 (Issued 2004-07-06)
Department of Mental Health: State and Federal Regulations Have Hampered Its Implementation of Legislation Meant to Strengthen the Status of Psychologists at Its Hospitals
Report Number 2003-111 (Issued 2004-04-13)
Oversight of Long-Term Care Programs: Opportunities Exist to Streamline State Oversight Activities
Report Number 2003-117 (Issued 2004-04-06)
California Department of Corrections: It Needs to Ensure That All Medical Service Contracts It Enters Are on the State's Best Interest and All Medical Claims It Pays Are Valid.
Report Number 2003-112 (Issued 2003-12-22)
Department of Health Services: It Needs to Better Plan and Coordinate Its Medi-Cal Antifraud Activities
Report Number 2003-113 (Issued 2003-12-10)
California Integrated Waste Management Board: Its New Regulations Establish Rules for Oversight of Construction and Demolition Debris Sites, but Good Communication and Enforcement Are Also Needed to Help Prevent Threats to Public Health and Safety
Report Number 2002-114 (Issued 2003-08-19)
Department of Social Services: Continuing Weaknesses in the Department's Community Care Licensing Programs May Put the Health and Safety of Vulnerable Clients at Risk
Report Number 2002-118 (Issued 2003-04-30)
Department of Health Services: Its Efforts to Further Reduce Prescription Drug Costs Have Been Hindered by Its Inability to Hire More Pharmacists and Its Lack of Aggressiveness in Pursuing Available Cost-Saving Measures
Report Number 2001-015 (Issued 2003-01-02)
Statewide Fingerprint Imaging System: The State Must Weigh Factors Other Than Need and Cost-Effectiveness When Determining Future Funding for the System
Report Number 2002-110 (Issued 2003-03-11)
California State University: Its Common Management System Has Higher Than Reported Costs, Less Than Optimal Functionality, and Questionable Procurement and Conflict-of-Interest Practices
Report Number 2003-138 (Issued 2004-06-15)
Department of Insurance: It Needs to Make Improvements in Handling Annual Assessments and Managing Market Conduct Examinations
Report Number 2002-120 (Issued 2003-06-26)
California Veterans Board: Without a Clear Understanding of the Extent of Its Authority, the Board Has Not Created Sufficient Policies Nor Provided Effective Oversight to the Department of Veterans Affairs
Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy
Report Number 2002-018 (Issued 2004-04-29)
Workers' Compensation Fraud: Detection and Prevention Efforts Are Poorly Planned and Lack Accountability
Report Number 2003-108.2 (Issued 2004-01-27)
California's Workers' Compensation Program: Changes to the Medical Payment System Should Produce Savings Although Uncertainty About New Regulations and Data Limitations Prevent a More Comprehensive Analysis
Report Number 2003-108.1 (Issued 2003-08-27)
California's Workers' Compensation Program: The Medical Payment System Does Not Adequately Control the Costs to Employers to Treat Injured Workers or Allow for Adequate Monitoring of System Costs and Patient Care
Report Number 2002-009 (Issued 2003-04-02)
California Energy Markets: The State's Position Has Improved, Due to Efforts by the Department of Water Resources and Other Factors, but Cost Issues and Legal Challenges Continue
Report Number 2002-030 (Issued 2003-04-24)
State Bar of California: Although It Reasonably Sets and Manages Mandatory Fees, It Faces Potential Deficits in the Future and Needs to More Strictly Enforce Disciplinary Policies and Procedures
Labor, Employment, and Industrial Relations
Report Number I2004-2 (Issued 2004-09-23)
California Military Department: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Employees (Allegation I2002-1069)
Report Number 2003-131 (Issued 2004-05-13)
Franchise Tax Board: Significant Program Changes Are Needed to Improve Collections of Delinquent Labor Claims.
Report Number 2002-018 (Issued 2004-04-29)
Workers' Compensation Fraud: Detection and Prevention Efforts Are Poorly Planned and Lack Accountability
Report Number I2004-1 (Issued 2004-03-24)
California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Employees (Allegation I2003-0836)
Report Number 2003-108.2 (Issued 2004-01-27)
California's Workers' Compensation Program: Changes to the Medical Payment System Should Produce Savings Although Uncertainty About New Regulations and Data Limitations Prevent a More Comprehensive Analysis
Report Number 2003-108.1 (Issued 2003-08-27)
California's Workers' Compensation Program: The Medical Payment System Does Not Adequately Control the Costs to Employers to Treat Injured Workers or Allow for Adequate Monitoring of System Costs and Patient Care
Report Number 2002-114 (Issued 2003-08-19)
Department of Social Services: Continuing Weaknesses in the Department's Community Care Licensing Programs May Put the Health and Safety of Vulnerable Clients at Risk
Report Number 2004-117 (Issued 2004-12-07)
City of Richmond: Poor Spending Decisions and Weak Monitoring of Its Finances Caused Its Financial Decline and Hinder Its Ability to Recover
Report Number 2003-123 (Issued 2004-07-15)
California Children and Families Commissions: Some County Commissions' Contracting Practices Are Lacking, and Both the State and County Commissions Can Improve Their Efforts to Find Funding Partners and Collect Data on Program Performance
Report Number 2003-119 (Issued 2004-07-14)
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority: It Could Use Certain Recommended Management Tools to Improve Its Oversight of Legal Contracts, and Its Efforts Resulted in the Award of a Large Construction Contract Within Budget
Report Number 2003-137 (Issued 2004-06-24)
California's Independent Water Districts: Reserve Amounts Are Not Always Sufficiently Justified, and Some Expenses and Contract Decisions Are Questionable
Report Number 2002-016 (Issued 2004-06-09)
Water Replenishment District of Southern California: Although the District Has Addressed Many of Our Previous Concerns, Problems Still Exist
Report Number 2003-136 (Issued 2004-06-03)
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: Its Administrative Controls Need to Be Improved to Ensure an Appropriate Level of Checks and Balances Over Public Resources
Report Number 2003-101 (Issued 2004-03-18)
County Emergency Medical Services Funds: Despite Their Efforts to Properly Administer the Funds, Some Counties Have Yet to Reach Full Compliance With State Laws
Report Number 2002-116 (Issued 2003-12-16)
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority: It Is Too Early to Predict Service Sector Success, but Opportunities for Improved Analysis and Communication Exist
Report Number 2003-106 (Issued 2003-10-15)
State Mandates: The High Level of Questionable Costs Claimed Highlights the Need for Structural Reforms of the Process.
Report Number 2004-101 (Issued 2004-12-20)
Prison Industry Authority: Although It Has Broad Discretion in Pursuing Its Statutory Purposes, It Could Improve Certain Pricing Practices and Develop Performance Measures
Report Number 2004-111 (Issued 2004-12-09)
Sex Offender Placement: Departments That Are Responsible for Placing Sex Offenders Face Challenges, and Some Need to Better Monitor Their Costs
Report Number 2004-105 (Issued 2004-10-19)
California Department of Corrections: Although Addressing Deficiencies in Its Employee Disciplinary Practices, the Department Can Improve Its Efforts
Report Number I2004-2 (Issued 2004-09-23)
California Military Department: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Employees (Allegation I2002-1069)
Report Number 2004-106 (Issued 2004-08-26)
Wireless Enhanced 911: The State Has Successfully Begun Implementation, but Better Monitoring of Expenditures and Wireless 911 Wait Times Is Needed
Report Number 2003-125 (Issued 2004-07-27)
California Department of Corrections: More Expensive Hospital Services and Greater Use of Hospital Facilities Have Driven the Rapid Rise in Contract Payments for Inpatient and Outpatient Care
Report Number 2003-117 (Issued 2004-04-06)
California Department of Corrections: It Needs to Ensure That All Medical Service Contracts It Enters Are on the State's Best Interest and All Medical Claims It Pays Are Valid.
Report Number 2003-130 (Issued 2004-03-16)
California Department of Corrections: Its Plans to Build a New Condemned-Inmate Complex at San Quentin Are Proceeding, but Its Analysis of Alternative Locations and Costs Was Incomplete
Report Number I2004-1 (Issued 2004-03-24)
Department of Corrections: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Employees (Allegation I2003-0896)
Report Number 2003-105 (Issued 2003-08-20)
California Law Enforcement and Correctional Agencies: With Increased Efforts, They Could Improve the Accuracy and Completeness of Public Information on Sex Offenders
Public Employees, Retirement, and Social Security
Report Number 2004-105 (Issued 2004-10-19)
California Department of Corrections: Although Addressing Deficiencies in Its Employee Disciplinary Practices, the Department Can Improve Its Efforts
Report Number I2003-2 (Issued 2003-09-17)
Public Utilities Commission: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Employees (Allegation I2002-753)
Report Number I2003-2 (Issued 2003-09-17)
Department of Transportation: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Employees (Allegation I2002-700)
Report Number I2003-2 (Issued 2003-09-17)
California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Employees (Allegation I2002-661)
Report Number I2003-1 (Issued 2003-04-17)
Department of Fish and Game: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Employees (Allegation I2002-636,725,947)
Report Number I2003-1 (Issued 2003-04-17)
Deparment of Developmental Services, Porterville Development Center: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Employees (Allegation I2002-952)
Report Number I2003-1 (Issued 2003-04-17)
Health and Human Services Agency Data Center: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Employees (Allegation I2002-652)
Report Number I2003-1 (Issued 2003-04-17)
Department of Industrial Relations: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Employees (Allegation I2002-605)
Report Number 2003-131 (Issued 2004-05-13)
Franchise Tax Board: Significant Program Changes Are Needed to Improve Collections of Delinquent Labor Claims.
Report Number 2002-126 (Issued 2003-07-03)
California Department of Transportation: Low Cash Balances Threaten the Department's Ability to Promptly Deliver Planned Transportation Projects
Report Number 2002-122 (Issued 2003-06-19)
State Controller's Office: Does Not Always Ensure the Safekeeping, Prompt Distribution, and Collection of Unclaimed Property
Report Number 2002-124 (Issued 2003-05-13)
Franchise Tax Board: Its Performance Measures Are Insufficient to Justify Requests for New Audit or Collection Program Staff
Report Number 2004-140 (Issued 2004-12-22)
Department of Transportation: Various Factors Increased Its Cost Estimates for Toll Bridge Retrofits, and Its Program Management Needs Improving
Report Number 2003-119 (Issued 2004-07-14)
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority: It Could Use Certain Recommended Management Tools to Improve Its Oversight of Legal Contracts, and Its Efforts Resulted in the Award of a Large Construction Contract Within Budget
Report Number 2002-116 (Issued 2003-12-16)
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority: It Is Too Early to Predict Service Sector Success, but Opportunities for Improved Analysis and Communication Exist
Report Number 2002-126 (Issued 2003-07-03)
California Department of Transportation: Low Cash Balances Threaten the Department's Ability to Promptly Deliver Planned Transportation Projects
Report Number 2002-120 (Issued 2003-06-26)
California Veterans Board: Without a Clear Understanding of the Extent of Its Authority, the Board Has Not Created Sufficient Policies Nor Provided Effective Oversight to the Department of Veterans Affairs