Text to be removed highlighted in red.
1 New Chapter; Office of the Inspector General. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 4-F the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 4-G
Office of the Inspector General
4-G:1 Office of the Inspector General Established.
I. There is hereby established the office of the inspector general. The inspector general shall independently advocate exclusively for the people and provide assistance in the exercise of their Article 14 rights. Further, the inspector general shall promote the common law as the foundation of all that supports the people's unalienable rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. The inspector general shall not compete with or diminish the attorney general's duty to the corporation but instead shall be responsible for promoting the integrity and accountability of all public servants as well as efficiency in all agencies of government. The inspector general shall not be a member or past member of the bar. The inspector general shall be appointed by the governor and council for a term of 4 years. Successive terms shall be by ballot of the people. The salary of the inspector general shall be established pursuant to the procedure in RSA 14:14-c and shall be as specified in RSA 94:1-a.
II. The inspector general shall:
(a) Initiate, supervise, and coordinate investigations, recommend policies, and carry out other activities designed to deter, detect, prevent, and eradicate fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct, and nonfeasance in government.
(b) Investigate, upon receipt of a complaint or for cause, any administrative action of any agency, regardless of the finality of the administrative action.
(c) Request such assistance and information as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the inspector general, the paramount duty being the protection of the rights of the people under Article 14 of the New Hampshire Bill of Rights.
(d) Examine the records and reports of any agency and its administration.
(e) Coordinate complaint-handling activities with all agencies and enforce penalties.
(f) Coordinate the activities of whistleblowers and maintain a toll-free telephone number, or whistleblower's hotline, to receive complaints and information from all inhabitants concerning the possible violation of law, administrative rules, mismanagement, fraud, waste, abuse of authority, malfeasance, nonfeasance, or a substantial or specific danger to the health, welfare, or safety of the public.
(g) Report expeditiously to the 3 branches of this government any violation of criminal or civil law and assist in the prosecution of the perpetrator.
(h) Act as liaison with other states and agencies to promote accountability, integrity, and efficiency in state government.
(i) Act as liaison and monitor the activities of all government agencies.
(j) Review, evaluate, and monitor the policies, practices, and operations of the executive office of the governor and council and make recommendations for improvements and cost saving measures.
(k) Conduct special investigations and management reviews received by affidavit complaints from all inhabitants.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Chapter; Office of the Inspector General. Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 4-F the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 4-G
Office of the Inspector General
4-G:1 Office of the Inspector General Established.
I. There is hereby established the office of the inspector general. The inspector general shall independently advocate exclusively for the people and provide assistance in the exercise of their Article 14 rights. Further, the inspector general shall promote the common law as the foundation of all that supports the people's unalienable rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. The inspector general shall not compete with or diminish the attorney general's duty to the corporation but instead shall be responsible for promoting the integrity and accountability of all public servants as well as efficiency in all agencies of government. The inspector general shall not be a member or past member of the bar. The inspector general shall be appointed by the governor and council for a term of 4 years. Successive terms shall be by ballot of the people. The salary of the inspector general shall be established pursuant to the procedure in RSA 14:14-c and shall be as specified in RSA 94:1-a.
II. The inspector general shall:
(a) Initiate, supervise, and coordinate investigations, recommend policies, and carry out other activities designed to deter, detect, prevent, and eradicate fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct, and nonfeasance in government.
(b) Investigate, upon receipt of a complaint or for cause, any administrative action of any agency, regardless of the finality of the administrative action.
(c) Request such assistance and information as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the inspector general, the paramount duty being the protection of the rights of the people under Article 14 of the New Hampshire Bill of Rights.
(d) Examine the records and reports of any agency and its administration.
(e) Coordinate complaint-handling activities with all agencies and enforce penalties.
(f) Coordinate the activities of whistleblowers and maintain a toll-free telephone number, or whistleblower's hotline, to receive complaints and information from all inhabitants concerning the possible violation of law, administrative rules, mismanagement, fraud, waste, abuse of authority, malfeasance, nonfeasance, or a substantial or specific danger to the health, welfare, or safety of the public.
(g) Report expeditiously to the 3 branches of this government any violation of criminal or civil law and assist in the prosecution of the perpetrator.
(h) Act as liaison with other states and agencies to promote accountability, integrity, and efficiency in state government.
(i) Act as liaison and monitor the activities of all government agencies.
(j) Review, evaluate, and monitor the policies, practices, and operations of the executive office of the governor and council and make recommendations for improvements and cost saving measures.
(k) Conduct special investigations and management reviews received by affidavit complaints from all inhabitants.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.