SB 1470: Modifies duties and functions of the Joint Committee on Legislative Research

HCS/SB 1470 - This act modifies the duties and functions of the Joint Committee on Legislative Research. The Committee is required to provide copies of all laws in a web-based electronic format, in addition to the current paper copies that must be made available. Currently, printed copies of laws, resolutions, constitutional amendments and measures are made available at no cost to members of the General Assembly, certain judicial entities, and certain law enforcement entities. This act repeals this provision and provides that such copies shall be available for sale by the Joint Committee. When the Committee sells copies of the revised statutes, this act provides that the money received shall be deposited in the Statutory Revision Fund, rather than the General Revenue Fund. Currently, the revised statutes of Missouri are printed only upon the adoption of a concurrent resolution by the General Assembly. This act repeals the requirement of adopting a concurrent resolution. Instead, if an appropriation is made for the republication of the revised statutes, the General Assembly must adopt a concurrent resolution for such republication. If there is no appropriation for the printing of supplements, then the cost shall be paid by the Statutory Revision Fund. The printing and publication of the revised statutes may, rather than shall, be obtained through the state director of the Division of Purchasing. This act provides that the moneys in the Statutory Revision Fund shall be used for costs associated with the general republication of the revised statutes and its annual supplements if no specific appropriation is provided by the General Assembly. The act modifies the membership of the Committee. The President Pro Tem of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate Appropriations Committee chair, the House Budget Committee chair, the minority leaders of both houses, plus additional appointees by the majority and minority parties, shall constitute the membership of the Committee. Upon request, rather than written request, of the Committee, the Committee shall draft revision bills and any resolutions or amendments directly related to any revision bill or the duties and functions of the Committee. Currently, employees of the Committee must refrain from opposing or supporting legislation, but may assist members as to bills, resolutions and measures. This act repeals this provision. The Committee shall, rather than may, obtain information about the functioning of any state agency. Personally identifiable information obtained from an agency may be excluded from information provided by the Committee to members. The Committee shall have thirty, rather than ten, days after the convening of a general assembly to elect a chairperson and vice chairperson. The Committee shall regularly meet at least twice a year, instead of at least every three months. The act adds language to provide that the Committee shall be charge and control of the Oversight Division within the Committee. Upon the request of the Director of the Committee, this act authorizes the State Auditor to provide assistance in the preparation of fiscal notes. The staff of the Oversight Division shall prepare a post-implementation fiscal note for any legislation that has been enacted and fully implemented for two years. The purpose shall be to compare the estimate of the fiscal note relating to the final enacted version of the legislation to the actual experience after the legislation was implemented. The act repeals a provision of law that authorized the Committee to create a subcommittee to supervise the personnel and practices of the Oversight Division. Currently, the Oversight Division shall conduct program evaluations of state agencies. This act repeals the words "of state agencies". The act repeals provisions of law relating to program evaluations. Finally, this act repeals a provision of law that required the Committee to hold public hearings on programs set to sunset. JIM ERTLE