The proposed bill introduces the "Rhode Island Department of Transportation Forensic Audit Act" as a new chapter in Title 42 of the General Laws. It mandates that the Rhode Island Attorney General commission an independent forensic audit of the Department of Transportation within 30 days of the bill's passage. The audit must be conducted by a nationally accredited firm with demonstrated expertise in transportation systems, infrastructure finance, and public-sector performance benchmarking.

The audit is required to cover various areas, including project delivery efficiency, asset management, workforce and organizational structure, maintenance efficiency, financial management, and governance and oversight. The audit must be completed and delivered to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before January 1, 2027.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $450,000 from the Department of Transportation's budget for the fiscal year 2026-2027 to fund the audit. It emphasizes the necessity for cooperation from all state agencies and mandates that the Department of Transportation provide access to all records, data, contracts, and personnel reasonably necessary to complete the audit. The final audit report shall be submitted to key state officials, including the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the chairs of the House and Senate finance committees, and will be made publicly available on the Department of Transportation's website. This act will take effect upon passage.