Bill > A687

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the Office of the Economic Development Inspector General (office) in the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA), to operate independent of the oversight or management of the Chief Executive Officer of the EDA. The office is to operate under the Economic Development Inspector General (inspector general), who is to be appointed by the Governor for a term extending until the conclusion of the Governor's term of office. The inspector general is to have the following general duties, powers, and responsibilities: (1) to administer oaths and affirmations, and request or compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documents; (2) to examine, copy, or remove and maintain any documents or records prepared, maintained, or under the possession of the EDA; (3) to interview or request information or documents from any executive officer, board member, officer, or employee of the EDA related to an individual's conduct of official duties; (4) to monitor the consideration and implementation of any recommendations made to the EDA; (5) to appoint deputies, assistants, and other officers and employees; and (6) to perform any other functions that are necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the mission of the office. The inspector general is also required to direct the work of the office. The bill provides that the office is to have the following general functions, duties, powers, and responsibilities: (1) to receive reports of, and to investigate, authority activities relating to State economic development incentive fraud, waste, or abuse,; (2) to inform EDA executive officers and the EDA board of allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse received by the office, and provide information on the progress of investigations by the office; (3) to recommend to the EDA that the EDA pursue disciplinary or civil actions related to an investigation of fraud, waste, or abuse conducted by the office; (4) to recommend to the EDA that the EDA refer information or files related to an investigation of fraud, waste, or abuse conducted by the office to any appropriate governmental agency with recommendation that the governmental agency take subsequent actions related to the information or files; and (5) to prepare, and make available to the public, written reports of completed investigations. Under the bill, the inspector general is to report annually to the Governor, to the Legislature, and to the Attorney General, the activities of the office, as well any recommendations, if any, for legislation to provide for the management of the State's economic development incentive programs.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Mike Torrissi (R)*,  Bob Auth (R), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document