AUGUSTA  — Final House approval is pending for a bill to provide greater financial oversight of the Maine Turnpike Authority.

The bill is in the House following yesterday’s unanimous approval by the Senate.

The turnpike authority came under scrutiny earlier this year after an audit report disclosed excessive and unexplained spending by turnpike officials.

A legislative review led to the bill, which requires the turnpike to retain an outside compliance auditor, maintain a system for ongoing internal auditing of the authority’s books and accounts; and to make available a detailed budget of expenditures.

It also shortens membership terms for the turnpike board from seven to six years.