Bill > H5997

This bill establishes the Office of Inspector General (OIG) as an independent administrative agency charged with investigating, detecting, and preventing fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds across state, federal, and local government programs and operations. The bill creates a comprehensive framework for the OIG, including detailed provisions for appointing an Inspector General who will serve a five-year term and can be removed only for cause by a two-thirds vote of top state officials. The Inspector General will have broad powers, including the ability to access government records, issue subpoenas, conduct investigations, and refer matters to the Attorney General or other agencies when potential criminal or ethical violations are discovered. The bill also merges the existing Auditor General's office and the Office of Internal Audit into the new OIG, centralizing oversight and investigative functions. Key features include protecting whistleblowers, maintaining confidentiality of investigations, requiring annual public reports, and establishing strict ethical standards for the Inspector General and staff, such as prohibitions on political activities. The OIG will have the authority to investigate any public body, including state agencies, local governments, and entities receiving public funds, with the ultimate goal of improving government efficiency and preventing improper use of taxpayer resources.

Budget and Finance

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