(a) In addition to the functions and duties of the Legislative Council which are prescribed by law, it shall be the responsibility of the Legislative Council, in order to coordinate the efforts of the interim committees and to avoid duplication of effort by the committees, to review and screen all study resolutions referred by the General Assembly and all study proposals sponsored by members of the General Assembly during the interim and approved by the Legislative Council. It shall either refer the study resolutions or study proposals to the appropriate interim committee for study or in unusual cases retain the study proposal or resolution and conduct the study. Nothing in §§ 10-3-201--10-3-208, 10-3-212--10-3-214, and 10-3-216, however, shall be construed to alter or diminish the exclusive interim and presession budget jurisdiction and authority of the Legislative Council as now prescribed by law.

(b) The respective interim committees may initiate and conduct studies by motion or resolution adopted by a majority of the membership of the committee, but when an interim committee initiates a study on its own motion, it shall advise the Legislative Council of the study to be made in order that the Legislative Council may suggest ways to eliminate duplication of effort among the interim committees.

(c) Each of the interim committees shall periodically report to the Legislative Council regarding studies referred to or undertaken by the committee and shall advise the Legislative Council of the status of each study pending before it.

(d) Each committee shall file a copy of its minutes, final reports, and recommendations on each study with the Legislative Council. Findings and recommendations of the interim committees shall be advisory only and shall not be binding on the standing committees of the Senate and House of Representatives during legislative sessions.