THE FIRST INSPECTOR GENERAL (IG) OFFICE WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AS A RESULT OF A SCANDAL WHICH DEMONSTRATED THAT DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATIONS WERE UNCOORDINATED AND THAT DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL UNITS WERE UNAWARE OF EACH OTHER'S ACTIVITIES. IN RESPONSE TO SIMILAR CRISES IN THEIR OWN JURISDICTIONS, THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE SET UP IG OFFICES. THIS NEW LAW IS APPLICABLE TO 12 FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES AND INVOLVES THE TRANSFER OF AUDIT AND INVESTIGATIVE UNITS TO A SINGLE IG OFFICE, WHICH OVERSEES AND PROVIDES POLICY DIRECTION FOR ALL AUDITS AND INVESTIGATIONS. THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL SETS STANDARDS FOR ALL AUDITS. AFTER PERFORMING FOLLOWUP INVESTIGATIONS, THE IG OFFICES REPORT TO THE AGENCY HEAD OR IMMEDIATE SUBORDINATE, AS WELL AS TO CONGRESS. SERIOUS OR FLAGRANT VIOLATIONS MUST BE IMMEDIATELY REPORTED TO THE AGENCY HEAD, WHO MUST REPORT TO CONGRESS WITHIN 7 DAYS. THE PRESIDENT APPOINTS AND REMOVES THE IG, WITH SENATE REVIEW. IGS MAY BYPASS THEIR OWN GENERAL COUNSELS AND TAKE CASES DIRECTLY TO THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. THE LAW'S PROPONENTS HAVE ESPECIALLY PRAISED ITS COORDINATION OF AUDIT AND INVESTIGATION, ITS 'WHISTLEBLOWER' PROVISION, AND ITS INVOLVEMENT OF TOP MANAGEMENT. FOR THE BILL TO BE EFFECTIVE, HOWEVER, IGS MUST MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE COOPERATION WITH THEIR AGENCY HEADS, WHO MUST BE ACCESSIBLE AND RESPONSIVE, ALTHOUGH ACCESS TO CONGRESS IS A SAFEGUARD SHOULD THE AGENCY HEAD BE UNRESPONSIVE. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)