State Senate approves bill giving auditor general subpoena power

Utah's legislative auditor general would have the power to subpoena information from government agencies under a bill passed Wednesday by the state Senate.

According to the sponsor of SB20, Sen. Mike Waddoups, R-West Jordan, the auditor general's office ran into trouble obtaining information from the Judicial Conduct Commission, which handles complaints against judges.

The bill, which now goes to the House, allows the auditor general's office to issue subpoenas "if necessary" to "all records, documents and reports of any entity that receives public funds" needed to complete an audit ordered by the Legislature.