Mission

The Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail Authority is tasked with improving oversight and accountability of the California high-speed rail project (Project) by conducting independent, objective reviews and investigations of the High-Speed Rail Authority’s (Authority’s) planning, delivery, and operation of the Project.

Independence

Public Utilities Code 187020(b) establishes that the Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail Authority is an independent office that is not a subdivision of any other governmental entity, including the Authority. This independence helps provide assurance that the work, opinions, conclusions, judgments, and recommendations of the Inspector General and staff are objective and impartial.

Authority and Duties

Public Utilities Code 187000-187038 created the Office of the Inspector General, High-Speed Rail Authority and assigned the office with authority and responsibility for:

• Performing audits, reviews, and investigations. The Inspector General initiates audits, reviews, and investigations on the Inspector General’s own accord regarding oversight related to delivery of the Project. The Inspector General also follows up on audits and reviews to determine what measures the Authority has implemented to address the Inspector General’s findings and to assess the effectiveness of those measures. To conduct these audits, reviews, and investigations, the Inspector General has statutory authority to issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses, production of records, and the making of sworn statements.
• Reviewing the Authority’s procurement and contractor oversight. The Inspector General may review the Authority’s selection and oversight of contractors related to the Project. To ensure that the Authority’s contracts are in the best interest of the State, the Inspector General also reviews the Authority’s contracts and contracting practices to determine whether they are consistent with state and federal laws and policies, are conducted in a fair and reasonable manner, and provide the state with valued services at reasonable cost. In addition, the Inspector General reviews the Authority’s processes for considering proposed and executed change orders and makes recommendations to ensure the process is appropriate for determining the merit and reasonableness of change orders.
• Evaluating the Authority’s project planning and cost and schedule estimates. The Inspector General conducts independent fiscal estimates and reviews of the Authority’s plans and estimates for project advancement and evaluates the reasonableness of those plans and estimates.
• Monitoring the Authority’s progress in completing the Project. The Inspector General monitors the Authority’s progress in meeting milestones toward the successful completion of the Merced to Bakersfield segment of the Project.
• Providing guidance on effective practices for capital project management and administration. The Inspector General identifies best practices in the delivery of capital projects and recommends policies for the Authority to adopt to promote efficiency in its administration of programs and operations.
• Investigating misconduct and mismanagement. The Inspector General receives and investigates complaints and information from individuals both internal and external to the Authority concerning the existence of an activity constituting a violation of laws, rules, regulations, or mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety. Click here for information on how to submit a complaint.

Meet the Inspector General