14.26  Citizen's Assistance Office.--

(1)  There is created in the Executive Office of the Governor the Citizen's Assistance Office. The head of the Citizen's Assistance Office shall be appointed by and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

(2)  The Citizen's Assistance Office may:

(a)  Investigate, on complaint or on its own motion, any administrative action of any state agency, the administration of which is under the direct supervision of the Governor, regardless of the finality of the administrative action.

(b)  Request, and shall be given by any state agency, such assistance and information as may be necessary for the performance of its duties.

(c)  Examine the records and reports of any state agency, the administration of which is under the direct supervision of the Governor, not made specifically confidential by law when the office determines that it is necessary.

(d)  Coordinate individual state agency complaint-handling activities.

(3)  The Citizen's Assistance Office shall make quarterly reports to the Governor, which shall include:

(a)  The number of investigations and complaints made during the preceding quarter and the disposition of such investigations.

(b)  Recommendations in the form of suggested legislation or suggested procedures for the alleviation of problems disclosed by investigations.

(c)  A report including statistics which reflect the types of complaints made and an assessment as to the cause of the complaints.

(d)  Such other information as the Executive Office of the Governor shall require.

(4)  The Citizen's Assistance Office shall refer consumer-oriented complaints to the Division of Consumer Services of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

(5)  The Citizen's Assistance Office shall perform such other duties as the Executive Office of the Governor shall direct.