Panel orders audit of stem cell program

State lawmakers on Wednesday ordered an audit of the institute and committee created to spend $7 billion of voter-approved bonds aimed at funding stem cell research.

The Legislature's Joint Legislative Audit Committee voted unanimously to require the state auditor to review both the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the Independent Citizen's Oversight Committee. The stem cell program, approved by voters in November 2004, has come under fire for spending money on such things as public relations and lobbying and because many of the members of the oversight committee represent groups that may be awarded grants.

"I believe the audit will help ensure that the program is on sound footing as it moves into its grant-making phase next year,'' said state Sen. Deborah Ortiz, D-Sacramento, who called for the audit.

State Auditor Elaine Howle said the audit would evaluate the program's strategic plans and whether the two bodies are properly identifying and avoiding conflicts of interest. She also will look at whether the programs have the right controls in place to ensure they comply with state laws.

The audit will...