The High-speed Rail Authority Office Of Inspector General - - CA Public Utilities

Section § 187020

This law establishes the High-Speed Rail Authority Office of the Inspector General in California.

The Governor appoints the Inspector General for a four-year term from a list of three candidates nominated by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, which conducts a thorough search. This list is prepared with input from various sources including legislators and professional organizations. The selection focuses on qualifications, not political affiliation. The Inspector General operates independently and cannot be a part of any other government body.

Also, once appointed, the Inspector General cannot be removed by the Governor unless there is good reason.

(a)

(1) There is hereby created the High-Speed Rail Authority Office of the Inspector General.

(2) The Governor shall appoint the High-Speed Rail Authority Inspector General to a four-year term from a list of three qualified individuals nominated by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. The Joint Legislative Audit Committee shall select the three qualified individuals from a pool of candidates after conducting a comprehensive search for qualified individuals. The Joint Legislative Audit Committee shall provide at least 120 days’ notice that it is seeking applicants for nomination by providing notice in the Journals of the Senate and the Assembly and by advertising in appropriate newspapers and with nationally acknowledged professional journals and associations. Names for consideration by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee may be submitted by members of the Legislature, professional organizations, individuals, and other entities. The Inspector General shall be chosen without reference to party affiliation and solely on the ground of fitness to perform the duties of the High-Speed Rail Authority Inspector General.

(3) The Legislature and the Governor may provide suggested qualifications to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to consider when making its nominations.

(b) The Office of the Inspector General shall not be a subdivision of any other governmental entity.

High-Speed Rail Authority Inspector General appointment process Joint Legislative Audit Committee four-year term Governor's appointment candidate nominations independence removal for good cause legislative input professional qualifications political affiliation advertisement for candidates subdivision restrictions government oversight

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 71, Sec. 10. (SB 198) Effective June 30, 2022.)

Section § 187022

The law states that the Inspector General should have suitable office space, equipment, and services at the High-Speed Rail Authority's premises or other appropriate locations for their operations. Each year, the Inspector General must submit their proposed budget to the Department of Finance by September 1. If there are any alterations made by the Department, these changes should be explained and reported to the Legislature by January 10. The salary of the Inspector General is set to match that of the Inspector General from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

(a) In coordination with the High-Speed Rail Authority, the Inspector General shall be provided with appropriate and adequate office space at the High-Speed Rail Authority’s offices or other facilities as necessary, together with such equipment, office supplies, maintenance services, and communications facilities and services as may be necessary for the operation of the Inspector General’s offices.

(b) For each fiscal year, the Inspector General shall provide the Department of Finance with the office’s proposed budget by September 1 of each year. If the Department of Finance makes any position or funding changes to the Inspector General’s proposed budget, including, but not limited to, modifications related to total funding amounts in the budget year and out-years, staff classifications, limited-term versus permanent positions, contract resources, and operating expenses and equipment, the Department of Finance shall provide a notification to the chairs and vice chairs of the budget committees of both houses of the Legislature and the Legislative Analyst’s Office identifying the differences and explaining the reasons for the differences. This notification shall be provided no later than January 10 of each year.

(c) The annual salary for the Inspector General shall be equal to that of the Inspector General of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation established pursuant to Chapter 8.2 (commencing with Section 6125) of Title 7 of Part 3 of the Penal Code.

Inspector General office space High-Speed Rail Authority budget proposal Department of Finance budget alterations notification Legislative Analyst's Office Inspector General salary Corrections and Rehabilitation Inspector General fiscal year budgeting office resources communication facilities budget committee notification staff classifications contract resources operating expenses

(Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 53, Sec. 8. (AB 173) Effective July 2, 2024.)

Section § 187024

This law allows the Inspector General to choose and hire the staff needed to run the office. The Inspector General must make sure that the people they hire have the right training and experience to perform their jobs well.

Subject to applicable law, the Inspector General shall select, appoint, and employ officers and employees necessary to carry out the functions of the office. In making these selections, the Inspector General shall ensure that those officers and employees have the requisite training and experience to enable the Inspector General to carry out their duties effectively.

Inspector General hiring staff selection office functions employee qualifications training requirements experience employment criteria officers and employees office effectiveness personnel appointment organizational staffing job qualifications public office workforce management

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 71, Sec. 10. (SB 198) Effective June 30, 2022.)