Office of Inspector General creation; appropriating money

SF 3443 creates an independent Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to oversee state agencies for fraud and misuse of public resources. The bill requires the legislative auditor to refer all public reports of potential fraud or misuse to the OIG, which will investigate these issues without interference from executive agencies. The Inspector General must operate independently, reporting directly to the chief administrative law judge, and will have specific qualifications including a relevant degree, 10 years of experience, and professional certification. The bill appropriates funding for the OIG and takes effect January 1, 2026, impacting all state agencies administering programs or using public funds.