Ken Block: 2026 H 8562 - Suggests Tweaks to Inspector General Bill - House Finance (52126)

During the House Committee on Finance hearing on May 21, 2026, Ken Block testifies in strong support of 2026 House Bill 8562, legislation advocating for the creation of an Office of Inspector General to oversee state spending. Block praises the bill for adding necessary guardrails and checks to state government, but suggests two key amendments to strengthen the legislation:

Termination Clause for Cause: He recommends adjusting the termination language to allow a governor to fire an Inspector General for cause—such as poor performance or laziness—while still maintaining protections against retaliatory firings.

Information Pipeline: He urges the creation of a formal pipeline to share information, findings, and work products between the new Inspector General and the existing Auditor General to prevent duplicative efforts and improve efficiency.

Additionally, Block takes the opportunity to strongly urge the General Assembly to reconsider the line-item veto, noting that Rhode Island is one of only six states without this crucial check and balance.

House Bill No. 8562
BY Blazejewski, Kazarian, Hull, Caldwell, Shanley, Lima, Cotter, Spears, Azzinaro, Nardone
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (Establishes the office of inspector general to investigate the management and operation of agencies in an effort to prevent and deter fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.)
{LC6482/1}
» http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8562.pdf

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