Inspector general bill unanimously passes Senate

A bill to create an independent Office of the Inspector General unanimously passed the Senate May 22.

Sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Brandywine, who sponsored similar legislation last session that did not advance, the bill would create an independent Office of the Inspector General. The bill is supported by Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown; Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes; and Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, D-Rehoboth Beach. 

Senate Bill 4 seeks to create a nonpartisan agency responsible for investigating and preventing fraud, waste, mismanagement, corruption and other abuse of government resources. The OIG would assist in the recovery of misspent or inappropriately paid funds, thereby strengthening transparency and building greater public trust in government operations, officials said.

The Office of Inspector General would work with other investigative and law enforcement agencies, including the attorney general and the auditor of accounts to recommend statutory revisions or any other actions. This includes making referrals to other law enforcement agencies when necessary, or providing reports to the governor, attorney general and General Assembly. Reports would be available to the public on the OIG website.

Under the bill, the inspector general is not an elected position, and would be chosen by a selection panel, which would advance three names to the governor for consideration, and that person would then be confirmed by the Senate. Once confirmed by the Senate, the inspector general would serve one five-year term.

SB 4 awaits assignment to a House committee for further action.