Requires the auditor general to conduct performance audits of all state agencies.

Rhode Island Bill Summary: Auditor General Performance Audits

This bill would require Rhode Island's Auditor General — an independent official who examines how the government handles money and operations — to conduct "performance audits" of all state agencies. A performance audit goes beyond just checking financial records; it evaluates whether a government agency is doing its job effectively, efficiently, and in line with its intended goals. Essentially, the bill would create a formal, systematic review process to assess how well each state agency is actually functioning.

The bill would affect all Rhode Island state government agencies and the people who work in them, as their operations would be subject to regular scrutiny and evaluation. Ultimately, it would also affect Rhode Island residents and taxpayers, since the goal of performance audits is to identify waste, inefficiency, or programs that aren't working as intended — potentially leading to improvements in how government services are delivered and how tax dollars are spent.

Currently, the bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and referred to the House State Government & Elections Committee, which recommended holding it for further study. This means the bill is still in its early stages and has not yet been voted on or passed into law. A hearing is scheduled for February 2026, where lawmakers will consider the proposal further before deciding whether to move it forward.