Chapter 2 - The High-Speed Rail Authority Office of Inspector General

California Public Utilities Code — §§ 187020-187024

Sections (3)

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

(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.

(c)The Inspector General may not be removed from office by the Governor during that term, except for good cause.

§ 187022

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

(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.

§ 187024

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

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.