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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

**Please see Fiscal Implications section of this report.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Joint Memorial 64 requests the Legislative Council to study the roles, responsibilities, functions, structure and organization of the committee process and the necessary staff support for this process, including the:

• •standing, statutory and Legislative Council-created interim committees to identify opportunities to more effectively structure and organize their work and responsibilities



• •roles, functions and organization of the staff required to support the work of the committees in carrying out their legislative responsibilities, including the technical expertise needed; and



• •organization of the legislative committee process and its support staff in other states and identify options regarding effective and efficient committee roles, responsibilities, organization and structures, the adequacy of the staff and the optimum staffing structure, organization and functions.

The Legislative Council is requested to solicit input from legislative members and staff and report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature in 2002.

Significant Issues

The joint memorial recognizes the growing number of responsibilities that have shifted to the states from the federal government and that the size and complexity of government operations have grown over the last decade. Further, the joint memorial states that the growth in the number of interim committees/task forces, etc., that were created to respond to these growing complexities has led to duplication and inefficient and ineffective use of legislative staff.

During the 2000 interim, there were 21 statutorily created committees and 8 Legislative Council-created committees. Currently, the House has 16 standing committees and the Senate has 9 (see attachment for list of committees).

FISCAL ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

Existing legislative staff will probably support the work directed in the joint memorial. No additional FTE or appropriations are required.

DKB/ar

Attachment