Substitute House Bill No. 5221 aims to reestablish the Legislative Program Review and Investigations (PRI) Committee as a permanent standing committee of the General Assembly, effective July 1, 2026. The committee will consist of twelve members, with six appointed from the Senate and six from the House of Representatives by their respective leaders. Its responsibilities include conducting program reviews and investigations of state departments and agencies, establishing policies for report distribution, and recommending legislative changes based on findings. The bill also enhances the committee's powers, allowing it to access state agency records, subpoena witnesses, and request information from public officers. Additionally, it mandates that the PRI Committee report annually to the legislature by February 15 and ensures confidentiality for public employees providing information to the committee.

The bill also repeals Section 1-122 of the general statutes and introduces new provisions regarding compliance audits of quasi-public agencies, which will be conducted biennially by the Auditors of Public Accounts. These audits will focus on adherence to regulations concerning affirmative action, personnel practices, and financial assistance distribution, with costs borne by the respective agencies. Furthermore, the bill modifies the oversight and reporting requirements for quasi-public agencies, requiring their boards to submit annual reports to the PRI Committee, which will assess compliance and report findings to the General Assembly. The bill emphasizes accountability and transparency in state operations, particularly in the judicial system, by allowing the PRI Committee to request information from the Judicial Review Council while maintaining confidentiality for individuals involved in investigations.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 1-122, 2-46, 2-47, 51-51l
GAE Joint Favorable: 1-122, 2-46, 2-47, 51-51l
File No. 160: 1-122, 2-46, 51-51l