Requires that an independent efficiency and performance audit of the department of transportation be commissioned by the department of administration.

Rhode Island Department of Transportation Efficiency Audit Bill

This bill would require Rhode Island's Department of Administration to hire an independent outside party to conduct a thorough audit of the state's Department of Transportation (RIDOT). The audit would examine how well the department is operating — looking at things like how efficiently it uses its resources, how effectively it delivers services, and whether it's meeting performance goals. Because the audit must be "independent," it would be conducted by someone outside of state government, helping to ensure the review is objective and unbiased.

The main people affected by this bill are Rhode Island taxpayers and anyone who uses the state's roads, bridges, and transportation infrastructure. If the audit uncovers inefficiencies or areas where RIDOT could be doing better, it could lead to improvements in how the department operates and how public money is spent. State government employees at RIDOT and the Department of Administration would also be directly involved in facilitating and responding to the audit process.

Overall, this bill is about government accountability and making sure a major state agency is functioning as well as it should be. It does not directly change how RIDOT operates on its own — rather, it sets the stage for a review that could inform future changes. The bill has been referred to the Senate Housing and Municipal Government Committee and is scheduled for a hearing in April 2026.