 |
|
5/14/2026
|
Speaker Blazejewski to introduce legislation creating Office of the Independent Inspector General
|
 STATE HOUSE — Speaker Christopher R. Blazejewski will be introducing legislation to create an Office of the Independent Inspector General.
“Rhode Island is facing a moment that demands a new approach. With the passage of HR1, our federal government has made drastic changes to essential programs, and Rhode Island families will feel it,” said Blazejewski. “Cuts to Medicaid, to food assistance, to the federal programs helping those who are struggling -- these changes mean our state will be asked to get by with far less federal support, at the same time that federal oversight of how we spend every remaining dollar is tightening. The margin for error is far less than it has ever been before.
“Additionally, our state has recently experienced a series of high-profile failures -- in our infrastructure, in our technology systems, in our ability to deliver basic services to the people who depend on us,” he added. “A major bridge in the heart of our state deteriorated past the point of safety. Portions of a highway ramp collapsed onto active rail lines. A costly new state payroll system produced months of errors, wrong tax forms, and harm to our own state employees. None of these failures happened overnight, and all of these problems went unaddressed for far too long. Rhode Islanders deserve better.”
Blazejewski said he and Majority Leader Katherine S. Kazarian are putting the finishing touches on the legislation. Notice will be given at today’s session that the bill will be introduced on the next legislative day, which is Tuesday, May 19.
“We believe such an office is critical to ensuring that the state is spending each and every dollar as efficiently and effectively as possible,” said Blazejewski. “Every administration, regardless of party, benefits from independent oversight.
It makes government more honest, more efficient, and more worthy of the public’s trust. An office of inspector general would provide an independent set of eyes, with real authority, that answers to the people. That is exactly what Rhode Island needs right now.”
While he has supported recent measures adopted to enhance oversight and audit functions through existing entities, he is disappointed they have not yielded the intended results.
“The establishment of an independent inspector general’s office is not only intended to get to the bottom of things that have gone wrong, but will also motivate state government to prioritize and value getting it right the first time,” he added.
“The legislature establishes laws, regulations and policies, but those don’t work if they are not followed and enforced. Mistakes are expensive, disruptive and sometimes dangerous.”
In 2015, Blazejewski sponsored legislation (2015-H 5164) to create the office of inspector general, and he was a co-sponsor in several sessions.
“I give credit to our Democratic and Republican colleagues who have kept the conversation going on this topic over the years, and especially Chairman Evan Shanley, Rep. Charlene Lima and Rep. George Nardone. Our legislation draws upon their bills but takes into account best practices that have developed over time, and in particular relies on legislation recently passed in other states,” said Blazejewski. “We hope this year we can be proud to say that Rhode Island has the best law on the office of inspector general in the country.”
The bill is modeled after the inspector general’s offices in several states, but most notably South Carolina and Delaware, which were the latest to adopt such offices.
The qualifications for hiring an independent inspector general would include a vast background in the fields of auditing and criminal justice, with a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in auditing, investigations, law enforcement or a related field. The inspector general could serve no more than two five-year terms.
The inspector general would be appointed by an independent advisory commission comprised of the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the General Treasurer, the Ethics Commission and a member of the Association of Inspector Generals. The Governor would make the appointment from a list of three candidates submitted by the commission, and would be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
The inspector general would be able to initiate investigations into state and quasi-state agencies, as well as municipal governments utilizing state funds. The office would also accept complaints from the public, with whistleblower protections in place to protect those bringing complaints forward.
Blazejewski pointed out that the independent inspector general would not encroach on the separate duties of the auditor general or attorney general’s offices.
The inspector general would hire the necessary support staff qualified in investigating, auditing and evaluating.
“Our constituents are not asking for perfection from their government,” Blazejewski said. “They are asking for honesty, competence, and accountability. The Majority Leader and I are committed to moving this legislation forward, and we are inviting colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us. The time to act is now.”
For more information, contact:
Larry Berman, Communications Director for the Office of the Speaker
State House Room 322
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 447-2655
|
|