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H 7984Public Finance

Public Finance - Independent Performance and Efficiency Audit of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation

This bill requires an independent audit of the Department of Transportation to review its efficiency, spending, and performance.

Held for study
Population
Affected
65
Email Legislator
Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee House State Government & Elections

Plain-English Summary

This bill mandates that the Rhode Island Auditor General conduct a comprehensive, independent audit of the state's Department of Transportation (RIDOT). The audit will evaluate the department's spending, project management, and organization, comparing its performance to similar agencies in neighboring states like Massachusetts and New York. The bill allocates $200,000 to hire consultants to assist with this review. RIDOT is required to cooperate fully but is strictly prohibited from seeing or changing the report before it is released to the public. The final report is due by January 30, 2027.

For younger readers

Imagine if a teacher hired a special helper to check all the work the school principal does to make sure they are spending money wisely and fixing the playground correctly. This bill does that for the Department of Transportation, the group that fixes roads. The government is paying for a "checker" (an auditor) to look at how the department works and spends money. They want to make sure the department is doing a good job, just like in other states. The department has to help the checker and cannot hide any information.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
TaxpayersRIDOT EmployeesContractorsCommutersState Legislators
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
$0.13
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Increases transparency and accountability within a major state agency, ensuring that public funds are utilized efficiently and not wasted on mismanagement or corruption.
  • Benchmarks the state's transportation performance against neighboring states, potentially leading to improved public transit and infrastructure services for the community.
  • Empowers an independent auditor to investigate operations without interference, strengthening the system of checks and balances against potential executive overreach.
  • Allocates $200,000 to external consultants and auditors rather than investing those funds directly into social programs, public transit, or infrastructure improvements.
  • Opens the door for outside consultants to recommend privatization or austerity measures under the guise of "efficiency," potentially threatening union jobs.
  • Relies on benchmarking against other states that may prioritize corporate interests, potentially pressuring the department to adopt policies that favor cost-cutting over service quality.
For Conservatives
  • Imposes strict fiscal accountability on a government agency, potentially uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars.
  • Prevents bureaucratic interference by denying the department the ability to preview or modify the audit findings before the public sees them.
  • Mandates performance comparisons with other states, ensuring that the government is forced to justify its spending and operational efficiency standards.
  • Appropriates an additional $200,000 of taxpayer money to fund a study rather than immediately cutting the budget or reducing the size of the department.
  • Expands the scope of the Auditor General's office, effectively growing the size and reach of the government administrative state.
  • Delays potential reforms until 2027, allowing current inefficiencies and potential mismanagement to continue unchecked for several more years.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 59 additions

SECTION 1. Title 35 of the General Laws entitled "PUBLIC FINANCE" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 35-25-1. Independent performance and efficiency audit required.

(a) The auditor general shall conduct and oversee a comprehensive performance and efficiency audit of the Rhode Island department of transportation.

(b) The audit shall:

(1) Be benchmarked against regional peer state transportation agencies in the northeastern United States including, but not limited to, agencies in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York;

(2) Evaluate organizational structure, capital project delivery, procurement practices, maintenance operations, financial controls, staffing levels, performance metrics, and cost efficiencies;

(3) Establish benchmark performance dates and measurable targets for each major operational division of the department;

(4) Include segmented review deadlines, with the final segment and comprehensive report to be completed no later than January 30, 2027.

(c) The audit shall be conducted independently and shall not be subject to approval, modification, or preview by the Rhode Island department of transportation prior to its public release. 35-25-2. Oversight, scope and direction.

(a) The auditor general shall determine and control the scope, methodology, direction, and findings of the audit.

(b) The auditor general shall consult with and receive legal and technical assistance from the attorney general as necessary to ensure compliance, independence, and enforceability of this chapter.

(c) Neither the department of transportation nor any executive branch official shall interfere with, limit, or direct the scope or findings of the audit. 35-25-3. Consultant authority.

(a) The auditor general is hereby authorized to procure, retain, and compensate independent consultants, subject matter experts, forensic auditors, and other professional services as necessary to assist in completion of the audit.

(b) All consultants shall operate under the supervision and direction of the auditor general.

(c) Consultants retained pursuant to this chapter shall have full access to all records, documents, electronic data, contracts, personnel information (subject to applicable privacy laws), and other materials deemed necessary by the auditor general. 35-25-4. Mandatory compliance.

(a) The Rhode Island department of transportation shall fully cooperate with the auditor general and all authorized consultants.

(b) The department shall:

(1) Provide timely access to records and personnel;

(2) Respond promptly to written and oral requests;

(3) Designate a liaison officer for coordination purposes only.

(c) Failure to comply with lawful requests issued pursuant to this chapter may be enforced by application to the superior court for appropriate relief, including injunctive orders. 35-25-5. Funding.

(a) There is hereby appropriated the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000), or so much thereof as may be necessary, to the office of the auditor general for fiscal year 2026–2027 for the purpose of hiring consultants and supporting completion of the audit required by this chapter.

(b) Funds appropriated pursuant to this section shall not revert until completion of the audit. 35-25-6. Reporting and publication.

(a) The final audit report shall be submitted to:

(1) The speaker of the house;

(2) The president of the senate;

(3) The governor;

(4) The attorney general.

(b) Upon submission, the report shall be immediately made publicly available.

(c) No draft report shall be provided to the department of transportation for advance review or comment prior to publication. 35-25-7. Severability. If any provision of this chapter is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be affected.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.