818                               LAWS OF MARYLAND                        CH. 456

(f)   The Division of Fiscal Research shall prepare, have printed,
and make available copies of the forms it may prescribe for the
statements of financial condition required of the several counties
and other political subdivisions. This form may be altered from
time to time in order to effectuate the purposes of this subheading.
Statements of financial condition shall be compiled as of the last day
of each and every fiscal year of the county or other political subdi-
vision by the treasurer or other authorized financial officer thereof.
Upon completion of a statement, the treasurer or other authorized
financial officer shall make affidavit thereto, and within one hundred
and twenty days following the end of the fiscal year for which the
statement is made he shall file it with the Division of Fiscal Research.
Upon receiving any such statement, the Division shall examine it and
upon being satisfied that it complies with the provisions of this sub-
heading, the Division shall file the statement of financial condition
in a special file which is available for inspection by any resident of
the State of Maryland during normal business hours for a period of
three years. Any person may request a certified copy of any state-
ment of financial condition, and upon prepayment of a fee of two
dollars ($2), the Division shall prepare and deliver; the copy as
requested. After filing the statements of financial condition for three
years, the Division may dispose of them in accordance with the
provisions of Sections 177 and 178 of Article 41 of the Code.

(g)  The treasurer or other authorized financial officer of any
county or other political subdivision is personally liable to a penalty
collectible in the name of the State of Maryland and in the amount
of ten dollars ($10) a day for every day or fraction thereof after the
lapse of the authorized time limit for delivery of the statement of
financial condition to the Division of Fiscal Research. If in the
opinion of the Division the statement is incomplete or inadequate, it
shall give notice by registered mail to the treasurer or other au-
thorized financial officer of the items concerning which the statement
is incomplete or inadequate. If within ten days after receiving this
notification, the treasurer or other authorized financial officer has
not filed a complete and adequate statement, he is in default and
liable to the penalties prescribed in this subsection.

Division of Audits

61A.

(a)  The Division of Audits is created within the Department of
Fiscal Services.

(b)   The Legislative Auditor shall hold a valid and unrevoked
certificate to practice as a Certified Public Accountant, issued under
the authority of the State of Maryland. At the time of his initial
appointment, the Legislative Auditor shall have at least three years'
accounting experience.

61B.

(a) The Division of Audits, at least every two years, shall
examine and report on the books and accounts of every department,
board, bureau, commission, or other agency of the State government,
under the general direction of the Joint Committee on Budget and
Audit. From time to time, as required by the Joint Committee, the