In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Abuse” means an employee’s intentional misconduct or misuse of authority or position: involving Commission property or funds that is improper or deficient when compared to conduct a prudent person would consider reasonable under the same facts and circumstances; or for the purpose of furthering improperly the private interests of the employee, a family member, or a close personal or business associate. “Abuse” includes: theft or misappropriation of Commission property or funds; and destruction or alteration of official records. “Fraud” means an intentional act or attempt to obtain something of value from the Commission or another person through willful misrepresentation. “Fraud” includes a willful false representation of a material fact, whether by words or by conduct, by false or misleading allegations, or by concealment of that which should have been disclosed, which causes the Commission to act, or fail to act, to the detriment of the Commission’s interest. “Office” means the Office of the Inspector General. “Vendor” means a party obligated by contract or subcontract to provide goods, services, or property to the Commission for consideration, including contracts and subcontracts for construction and professional services related to construction. “Waste” means an inappropriate act or omission by an employee with control over, or access to, Commission property or funds that unreasonably deprives the Commission of value. “Waste” includes mismanagement or other unintentional conduct that is deficient or improper when compared to conduct a prudent person would consider necessary to preserve the value of Commission property or funds under the same facts and circumstances.

There is an Office of the Inspector General in the Commission.

The Audit Committee of the Commission shall appoint the Inspector General. The Audit Committee shall select the Inspector General solely on the basis of professional ability and personal integrity, without regard to political affiliation. The Inspector General shall be qualified professionally by experience or education in auditing, government operations, or financial management. The term of the Inspector General is 4 years beginning on the date of appointment. An individual may not serve as Inspector General for more than three terms. The Inspector General may not participate in the merit system adopted by the Commission under Title 16, Subtitle 1 of this article, but: may participate in any employee benefits program offered by the Commission on the same terms and conditions as it is offered generally to an employee participating in the merit system; and the Commission may offer to an individual appointed as Inspector General any supplemental employee benefit programs it determines are necessary to recruit and retain an employee who does not participate in the merit system. The Commission may remove the Inspector General by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three of its members from each county for neglect of duty, malfeasance, conviction of a felony, or other good cause. The Inspector General shall discharge the duties of office on a full–time basis and with no secondary employment of any nature during their term. Subject to budget authorization, applicable law, and the personnel regulations of the Commission, the Inspector General may select as subordinate staff of the Office one or more: temporary term employees who do not participate in the merit system adopted by the Commission under Title 16, Subtitle 1 of this article; and other employees who participate in the merit system. Notwithstanding any provision of the personnel regulations to the contrary, an auditor, accountant, investigator, or similar professional employee appointed as subordinate staff of the Office shall be subject to dismissal by the Inspector General only for neglect of duty, malfeasance, conviction of a felony, or other good cause. Subject to budget authorization and the applicable procurement regulations, the Inspector General may retain consultants by contract.

The Office shall: assist the Commission by providing independent evaluation and recommendations regarding opportunities to: preserve the Commission’s reputation; and improve the effectiveness, productivity, or efficiency of Commission programs, policies, practices, and operations; ensure public accountability by preventing, investigating, and reporting instances of fraud, waste, and abuse of Commission property or funds; examine, evaluate, and report on the adequacy and effectiveness of the systems of internal controls and their related accounting, financial, technology, and operational policies; and report noncompliance with and propose ways to improve employee compliance with applicable law, policy, and ethical standards of conduct. In developing recommendations, the Office may: conduct administrative investigations, budgetary analyses, and financial, management, or performance audits and similar reviews; provide management advisories; and utilize the assistance from any other government agency or private party to complete a project initiated by the Office. When applicable, the Inspector General shall comply with generally accepted government auditing standards. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Inspector General shall submit written reports to the Audit Committee and to the Commission for publication on the Commission’s Web site. The Inspector General: may not disclose any record, report, or related information that is protected from disclosure under the Public Information Act; may provide an oral report if appropriate under generally accepted government auditing standards; and shall establish and follow procedures for safeguarding the identity of confidential sources and protecting privileged and confidential information. The Commission shall publish with any report submitted by the Inspector General any official written comments or responses offered by the Commission’s management. The Inspector General shall also submit to the Commission for publication on the Commission’s Web site periodic reports that summarize the activities, findings, recommendations, and accomplishments of the Office. If reasonable grounds exist to believe that a serious violation of federal, State, or local law has occurred, the Inspector General shall report the allegation to: an appropriate law enforcement agency; the State Ethics Commission; or any other agency with jurisdiction to enforce the law.

The Inspector General shall coordinate with the Audit Committee to develop a written work plan and establish periodic goals and priorities for the Office based on an assessment of relative risks. In developing the work plan, the Inspector General shall take into consideration requests from the planning boards, commissioners, Commission officers, managers, and employees, elected officials, and members of the public. The Inspector General shall make the written work plan available to the public, subject to the Public Information Act. In performing the duties authorized under this subtitle, the Inspector General shall coordinate with the park police or other law enforcement agency, agency personnel administrators, the State Ethics Commission, and other internal officials or external entities as appropriate to avoid unnecessary disruption or duplication of effort in conducting any audit, analysis, or administrative investigation.

The Commission shall include in the Commission’s annual operating budget proposal the amounts recommended by the Audit Committee for the Office. Subject to budget authorization and adequate funds: the Commission’s general counsel shall provide legal services to the Inspector General and may employ special counsel if appropriate or required by law; and the Inspector General may employ and be represented by a special legal counsel without consent of the general counsel if the Audit Committee approves of a request after considering any recommendation or comment offered by the general counsel relating to the request.

On request from the Inspector General, a Commission employee or official shall promptly provide to the Inspector General any available document or other information concerning Commission operations, budget, programs, or vendor contracts. The Inspector General shall notify the Audit Committee and Commission chair, vice–chair, and executive director if any Commission employee or official fails to provide any information or document requested under this subsection with reasonable promptness. The Commission chair, vice–chair, or executive director shall take administrative action to produce compliance with a pending request for information by the Inspector General as warranted and appropriate. A vendor of the Commission shall provide to the Inspector General any available document or other information concerning any Commission vendor contract, including documents related to the procurement of the contract. The Inspector General shall promptly notify the Audit Committee and Commission officers if any vendor fails to provide any information or document requested under this subsection with reasonable promptness. The Commission officers shall take appropriate administrative or civil action to produce vendor compliance with a pending request for information by the Inspector General. Each Commission employee should report any fraud, waste, or abuse to the Office. A Commission employee, vendor, or employee of any vendor may not be retaliated against or penalized, or threatened with retaliation or penalty, for providing information to, cooperating with, or in any way assisting the Inspector General and staff of the Office in connection with any activity authorized under this subtitle. The Inspector General may not disclose the identity of a person that reports an allegation of fraud, waste, or abuse unless: the reporting person consents to disclosure of the person’s identity; disclosure is reasonably necessary to complete an audit or investigation; or another person is legally entitled to disclosure of the identity of the reporting person. The Inspector General or a staff member authorized by the Inspector General may administer an oath or affirmation or take an affidavit from any person if necessary to perform the duties under this subtitle. The Commission may adopt regulations to carry out the requirements of this section.

The Inspector General, or a staff member authorized by the Inspector General, may administer oaths and take depositions and other testimony for the purpose of investigating fraud, waste, or abuse within the Commission. The Inspector General may subpoena any person or evidence for the purpose of investigating fraud, waste, or abuse within the Commission. If a person fails to comply with a lawful order or subpoena issued under this section, on petition of the Inspector General, a court of competent jurisdiction may compel: compliance with the order or subpoena; or testimony or the production of evidence.