CS/CS/CS/HB 371 — Agency Inspectors General
by State Affairs Committee; Appropriations Committee; Government Operations Subcommittee; and Rep. Raulerson and others (CS/CS/SB 1304 by Fiscal Policy Committee; Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee; and Senator Latvala)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee (GO)
The bill authorizes the Chief Inspector General or designee to hire or retain legal counsel and issue and enforce subpoenas under certain circumstances. The bill requires the Office of Early Learning to appoint an inspector general and mandates additional hiring requirements, employment qualifications, and terms of employment for inspectors general appointed by agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor.
The bill prohibits a former or current elected official from being appointed inspector general within 5 years after the end of his or her term and prohibits an inspector general and employees of inspector general from holding elective office and provides additional restrictions for an inspector general and their staff for specified political activities.
Also, the bill requires that records must be accessible to agency inspectors general during an audit or investigation. The bill requires specified personnel to cooperate with requests of agency inspectors general during investigations, audits, inspections, reviews and hearings.
Additionally, the bill requires certain language be included in state contracts, bids, and proposals regarding cooperation with the inspector general.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2015.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 97-17