An Alabama state lawmaker has pre-filed legislation that would require the state auditor to keep a searchable public database listing any piece of personal property owned by the state and valued at $500 or more.
Homewood Republican Rep. Paul Demarco announced Monday that he is sponsoring the legislation in an attempt to bring more transparency and accountability to government.
DeMarco says taxpayers should be able to see what exactly is being purchased with their tax money.
His legislation would task the property inventory control division of the State Auditor's Office with maintaining the database. The public would be able to search by department or agency name, the county where the property is located, a description of the property and the date it was entered into inventory.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.