Bill > S3327

This bill establishes a new independent and nonpartisan agency called the Office of Inspector General, tasked with investigating the management and operations of state government agencies to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the spending of public funds, which are defined as state, federal, or local funds. The Inspector General, appointed by the governor with the senate's approval, will oversee this office, which will employ staff with expertise in areas like investigations and auditing, and investigative staff must be certified within three years. The bill outlines the qualifications for the Inspector General, including a bachelor's degree and at least ten years of relevant professional experience, and establishes an advisory commission to help select candidates. The Inspector General has jurisdiction over executive branch agencies and employees, with powers to investigate, report findings to the governor and other relevant authorities, and recommend corrective actions, while also coordinating with other oversight bodies like the Attorney General and Auditor General. The office will maintain a public-facing system for receiving complaints and will report its activities annually to various state officials and the public, with provisions for protecting whistleblowers and ensuring access to agency records for investigations, and the act will take effect upon passage.