BASIC LAW: THE STATE COMPTROLLER

Passed on 15 February 1988 by the 12thKnesset. Most of the law is a reenactment of previous instructions that were scattered in other laws. The law deals with the powers, tasks, and duties of the state comptroller in his or her supervision of government bodies and as ombudsman; the manner in which he or she is elected (by the Knesset); and the budget of the comptroller's office. The law states that the state comptroller is responsible solely to the Knesset.

Among other provisions, the law provides that The State Audit shall be implemented by the State Comptroller. . . . (a) The Comptroller will audit theeconomy, the property, the finances, the obligations and the administration of the State, of Government Ministries, of all enterprises, institutions, or corporations of the State, of Local Authorities, and of bodies of other institutions which were defined as law subject to audit by the State Comptroller. (b) The State Comptroller shall inspect the legality, integrity, managerial norms, efficiency and economy of the audited bodies, as well as any other matter, which he deems necessary. . . . The State Comptroller will investigate complaints from the public about bodies and persons, as provided by law: in this capacity the State Comptroller shall bear the title "Commissioner for Complaints from the Public." . . . In carrying out his functions, the State Comptroller shall be accountable only to the Knesset and not to theCabinet. . . . (a) The State Comptroller shall be chosen by the Knesset in a secret ballot; the exact arrangements shall be set by law.