A.  The assistant secretary shall exercise the functions of the office of engineering, subject to the direction and control of the secretary.

B.  The assistant secretary may enter into written contracts with the federal government or any federal agency, or any political subdivision of the state or private individual for the construction, operation, or maintenance of any public works which under this Chapter the department may administer and may receive and disburse grants of money from the agencies or persons for these purposes.  All grants of money shall be credited by the treasurer in a special account subject to withdrawal only by the assistant secretary of the office of engineering.  Any portion of any grant unexpended at the end of any fiscal year shall remain to the credit of the department for expenditure during the succeeding fiscal years.

C.  A complete and itemized report of the public improvements fund of the office of engineering of the previous fiscal year’s expenditures shall be made by October first of each year.  The report submitted shall include the source of all funds expended on public works projects from the public improvements fund, a project description, the location of the project, the amount of funds granted for each project, and the date and payee of each disbursement of funds expended on each project.  The office shall request each recipient of funds from the public improvements fund to provide, in detail, a description of the project for which the funds were used, a listing of the date and amount of all disbursements of funds, to whom each payment was made and for what purpose.  If the recipient submits the requested information, the office shall include same in the report.  If the information is not submitted, the office shall make note of such fact in the report.  The report shall be submitted to the legislative auditor and to the House and Senate committees on transportation, highways, and public works.

Acts 1987, No. 926, §1, eff. January 1, 1988; Acts 2012, No. 753, §5.