Budget & Taxes (Audits & Accountability)

died · Rhode Island · House May 21, 2026

HB 8562: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Establishes the office of inspector general to investigate the management and operation of agencies in an effort to prevent and deter fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by establishing an office to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse of public funds, directly protecting budget integrity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Government Spending

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 3327: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Establishes the office of inspector general to investigate the management and operation of agencies in an effort to prevent and deter fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by establishing an office to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse in public fund expenditures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Government Spending

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 2847: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- STATE TAX OFFICIALS

Caps delinquent tax interest rate at 12%. Prohibits audits beyond 3 years from date of tax filing, 7 years for fraudulent filings, and in no event beyond 10 years from date of filing or required filing date, whichever is later.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill caps interest rates and limits audit periods, reducing excessive state revenue collection and protecting taxpayers from prolonged financial burdens.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Business Taxes Sales Tax

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 7984: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCE -- INDEPENDENT PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY AUDIT OF THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

HB 7984 requires the Rhode Island Auditor General to conduct an independent audit of the Department of Transportation's performance and efficiency. This bill directly affects the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (DOT) by mandating a review of its operations and resource use. The key provision is the requirement for a formal, external audit focused on identifying areas for cost savings and improved service delivery. The bill is currently pending, having been referred to the House State Government & Elections Committee for further study.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires DOT audit for cost savings, promoting fiscal responsibility in government spending efficiency per budget topic indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Government Spending

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2448: AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

SB 2448 creates a dedicated performance audit division within Rhode Island's Office of the Auditor General (OAG). This division will evaluate how efficiently and effectively state agencies and contractors using public funds operate, focusing on program outcomes rather than financial transactions. The bill requires the OAG to hire at least five full-time staff for this work, develop annual audit plans prioritizing high-impact areas like Medicaid and IT systems, and publish public reports starting in 2027. State agencies must then submit corrective action plans within 60 days of receiving audit findings, with the OAG monitoring compliance and reporting to lawmakers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates performance audit division to ensure efficient use of public funds, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7982: AN ACT RELATING TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AUDIT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

HB 7982 establishes a new performance audit division within the Office of the Auditor General. This division will conduct regular audits to assess how effectively state agencies are using public funds and delivering services. The bill directly affects state agencies by requiring them to undergo these performance reviews, aiming to improve government efficiency and accountability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes performance audits to improve fiscal accountability and efficiency in state spending, directly promoting fiscal responsibility as a SUPPORT indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability State Budget

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 7810: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- STATE TAX OFFICIALS

Caps delinquent tax interest rate at 12%. Prohibits audits beyond 3 years from date of tax filing, 7 years for fraudulent filings, and in no event beyond 10 years from date of filing or required filing date, whichever is later.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCaps delinquent tax interest at 12%, providing tax relief to taxpayers by limiting penalties on overdue payments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Business Taxes Sales Tax

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 8146: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCE -- STATE BUDGET--PROGRAM PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT

HB 8146 requires state agencies managing capital projects and budgets to submit additional performance and audit reports to the legislature. It directly affects state departments overseeing infrastructure spending and public projects by mandating more detailed tracking of how funds are used. Key provisions include new requirements for agencies to measure program outcomes and report audit findings more frequently. This bill aims to improve transparency in how state funds are spent on large projects without changing funding levels or creating new programs. The bill is currently in the House Finance committee after its February 27, 2026, introduction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates detailed performance reports for budget transparency, promoting fiscal responsibility in state spending management.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates detailed reporting on infrastructure spending, ensuring transparency in fund allocation for transportation-related capital projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability State Budget

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 7590: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- INSPECTOR GENERAL

Establishes the office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency charged with the responsibility to investigate, detect, and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes inspector general to prevent fiscal mismanagement, promoting accountability in public fund expenditure aligns with fiscal responsibility indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Government Spending

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 7694: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Establishes an office of inspector general as an independent administrative agency, charged with preventing and detecting fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the expenditure of public funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes oversight to prevent misuse of public funds, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management per bill's purpose.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Government Spending

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