Bill > H7499

This bill mandates that the Department of Administration (DOA), which is the state agency responsible for managing government operations, must commission an independent efficiency and performance audit of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT). This audit will be conducted by an entity with proven expertise in transportation systems, infrastructure finance, and public-sector performance benchmarking, and it will examine various aspects of RIDOT's operations including project delivery, asset management, workforce and organizational structure, maintenance efficiency, financial management, and governance. A key component of the audit will be to compare RIDOT's performance against that of five to ten "peer states," which are other state transportation agencies selected based on similar geographic, climatic, system size, and procurement characteristics, using specific cost and performance metrics. The audit will also scrutinize procurement and contracting practices, workforce capacity and outsourcing strategies, and maintenance and operations efficiency, with a particular focus on compliance with federal "responsible charge" requirements, which refers to having a qualified, full-time employee overseeing projects. The final audit report is due by January 1, 2027, and will be submitted to the governor and legislative leaders, and made publicly available on the DOA's website, with RIDOT required to fully cooperate and provide necessary access to records and personnel. This act will become effective immediately upon its passage.

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