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SB 2375

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- INSPECTOR GENERAL

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Elaine Morgan and 6 co-sponsors

Creates an independent Office of Inspector General to audit, investigate, and oversee all state programs, merging Auditor General and Internal Audit functions.

05/26/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2375

Overview

  • Bill: SB 2375
  • Session: 2026
  • Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
  • Title: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- INSPECTOR GENERAL
  • Status: Introduced January 30, 2026; referred to Senate Finance; scheduled for hearing/consideration May 26, 2026
  • Primary aim: Establish the Office of Inspector General as an independent administrative agency and merge the functions of the Auditor General and the Office of Internal Audit and Program Integrity into a single Inspector General entity.

Purpose and Intent

  • Create an independent Office of Inspector General (OIG) to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement of public funds across all levels of state government, including federal, state, local programs, procurement, and related activities.
  • Merge current auditing and internal integrity functions (Auditor General and Office of Internal Audit and Program Integrity) into the new OIG to streamline oversight and coordination.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Establishment and Governance

    • Creates the OIG as an independent administrative agency.
    • Appoints an Inspector General for a five-year term (July 1 to June 30), with a two-term limit.
    • Appointment to require a majority vote by the governor, attorney general, and general treasurer; must be selected on nonpartisan grounds with qualifications in accounting, auditing, law, public administration, etc.
    • Public forum required in the selection process; if not filled timely, the governor can appoint.

  • Eligibility and Removal

    • Inspector General must have at least five years of relevant experience and a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
    • Removal for cause by a broad multi-officer body with due process, including a public written statement and a potential Senate vote (2/3).

  • Staffing and Budget

    • OIG may hire staff (auditors, investigators, counsel, etc.) within budgetary limits.
    • Requires annual personnel report to Senate and House Finance Committees.
    • Inspector General’s salary and total budget set by the General Assembly.

  • Duties and Authority

    • Broad authority to audit, investigate, inspect, and oversee programs and operations listed in the chapter.
    • May review laws and regulations and recommend corrective actions to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.
    • Establishes an information system for public tips with anonymity protection.
    • Access to records, subpoenas power, and ability to compel production with court support; confidentiality and legal rights preserved.
    • Can initiate investigations, audits, and compliance reviews; may coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies.

  • Complaints and Protections

    • Accepts complaints from individuals; confidentiality maintained unless disclosure is necessary for investigation.
    • Whistleblower protections for employees.

  • Coordination and Reporting

    • Requires coordination with other state agencies to avoid duplication.
    • Refers findings to Attorney General, U.S. Attorney, ethics commissions, or other agencies as appropriate; some referrals remain confidential.
    • Mandates annual and interim public reports detailing significant findings, recommendations, and status of corrective actions; distributes copies to key officials and posts on the website.

  • Expanded Scope to Information Security

    • Audit of information security systems, with potential classification of sensitive findings.
    • May engage information security specialists; outside contractors may be used and governed by confidentiality provisions.

  • Repeal and Consolidation

    • Repeals Chapter 35-7.1 (Office of Internal Audit and Program Integrity) in its entirety.
    • Replaces with consolidated framework under the new Inspector General.

  • Additional Provisions Related to the Auditor General (in Section 2)

    • References to a joint committee structure for appointing and budgeting an “Auditor General” within the restructured framework, indicating a transitional integration with the new OIG.

Who and What Would Be Affected

  • State agencies, departments, boards, authorities, districts, and political subdivisions created by the General Assembly or governor.
  • Local governments (cities and towns) for public funds oversight, including nongovernmental organizations receiving public funds.
  • Public bodies currently under the jurisdiction of or interacting with the Auditor General and the Office of Internal Audit and Program Integrity.
  • Contractors, vendors, and public contractors involved with state-funded programs and procurements.
  • The general public would benefit from enhanced accessibility to annual reports and greater transparency in findings and recommendations (subject to confidentiality protections).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective Date: Upon passage (as stated).
  • Term of Inspector General: Five-year term, with a maximum of two terms.
  • Appointment Process: Public forum required; joint involvement of Governor, Attorney General, and General Treasurer; otherwise automatic appointment by the Governor.
  • Reporting: Annual and interim reports due to key legislative offices and made public; capital development program review to be submitted annually.
  • Training and Oversight: Joint committee on legislative services inspector general oversight for audits, budget, and personnel matters.

Potential Impacts

  • Strengthened state-wide accountability for use of public funds.
  • Streamlined governance by merging multiple oversight functions into a single, independent office.
  • Expanded enforcement capabilities via subpoenas and access to records across public bodies.
  • Enhanced information security reviews of government computer systems, with a framework for confidentiality and controlled disclosure.
  • Increased transparency through regular public reporting, while preserving sensitive information.

Note: This summary focuses on the substantive provisions and likely effects based on the bill text. For implementation details, fiscal impact, and potential transitional arrangements, consult the bill, fiscal notes, and legislative analyses.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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