Transportation Inspector General.

Existing law creates various state agencies, including the Department of Transportation and the High-Speed Rail Authority, with specified powers and duties. Existing law provides for the allocation of state transportation funds to various transportation purposes. This bill would create the Office of the Transportation Inspector General in state government, as an independent office that would not be a subdivision of any other government entity, to ensure that the above-referenced state agencies and all other state agencies expending state transportation funds are operating efficiently, effectively, and in compliance with federal and state laws. The bill would require the Governor to appoint the Transportation Inspector General for a 6-year term, from a list of 3 qualified individuals nominated by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, in consultation with specified legislative committees, by a vote of a majority of the committee membership from each house of the Legislature. The bill would prohibit the Transportation Inspector General from being removed from office during the term except for good cause. The bill would specify the duties and responsibilities of the Transportation Inspector General, and, in connection with those duties, would authorize the Transportation Inspector General to access and examine certain records, accounts, and other property. The bill would grant the Transportation Inspector General access to the records and property of a public or private entity or person subject to review or regulation by the state agency being investigated or audited to the same extent that the employees or officers of the agency have access. The bill would require the Transportation Inspector General to submit an annual report to the Legislature and Governor.