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5/19/2026
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Speaker Blazejewski submits legislation creating Office of Independent Inspector General
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 STATE HOUSE – Speaker Christopher R. Blazejewski submitted legislation today that would create an Independent Office of the Inspector General.
On May 14, Blazejewski announced his intention to introduce the bill on the next legislative day, according to House rules, which was today.
The legislation has been assigned to the House Finance Committee, and a public hearing has been scheduled for this Thursday, May 21, at the Rise of the House (sometime after 5 p.m.) in Room 35.
Many of the sponsors of the bill, including Blazejewski (D-Dist. 2, Providence), have sponsored bills calling for the establishment of an office of the inspector general in the past. Joining him as co-sponsors are Majority Leader Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence, Pawtucket), and Reps. Raymond A. Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence), Justine Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich), Evan P. Shanley (D-Dist. 24, Warwick, East Greenwich), Charlene Lima (D-Dist. 14, Cranston, Providence), Megan L. Cotter (D-Dist. 39, Exeter, Richmond, Hopkinton), Tina L. Spears (D-Dist. 36, Charlestown, New Shoreham, South Kingstown, Westerly), Samuel A. Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly), and George Nardone (R-Dist. 28, Coventry).
“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.”
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 Inspectors General. 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.
For more information, contact:
Larry Berman, Communications Director for the Office of the Speaker
State House Room 322
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 447-2655
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