Assembly Rules #
“Each standing reference committee, within its subject area, is authorized to:
- “a. consider and report bills and resolutions referred to it. Bills and resolutions may be reported to the General Assembly with or without amendments, or by committee substitute;
- “b. determine whether laws and programs are effective and implemented in accordance with the intent of the Legislature by –
- “(1) conducting investigations and studies of public entities responsible for the application, administration and execution of the laws and programs;
- “(2) meeting with public officials and citizens responsible for or involved with the application, administration and execution of the laws and programs;
- “(3) reviewing books, papers, documents, records and other data pertaining to the application, administration and execution of laws and programs;
- “(4) holding public hearings;
- “(5) issuing reports; and
- “(6) making recommendations to the General Assembly as the committee deems appropriate; and
- “c. perform other duties as the Speaker or the General Assembly may direct” (Assembly Rule 10:5).
“Whenever a committee is directed by resolution of the General Assembly or by order of the Speaker to undertake an investigation or study, the chair shall request the Office of Legislative Services to provide research and other services that will facilitate the investigation or study” (Assembly Rule 10:21).
Senate Rules #
“Each reference committee shall meet at the call of its chair. Reference committees may consider bills, resolutions, nominations and other matters referred to them by the President or by Senate Resolution; review the functions, duties and operations of agencies of the State, and its political subdivisions, relevant to their subject areas; and investigate any matter within their subject areas, which investigations shall conclude with a written report to the Senate which may include findings and recommendations” (Senate Rule 12:3).
