(a)    The Committee has the following functions:

(1)    to review the work of the standing committees;

(2)    to collect information about the government and general welfare of the State;

(3)    to study the operation of and recommend changes in the Constitution, statutes, and common law of the State;

(4)    to study the rules and procedures of the Senate and the House and recommend changes that would improve and expedite the consideration of legislation by the General Assembly;

(5)    to coordinate and supervise generally the work of the General Assembly when it is not in session;

(6)    to prepare or endorse a legislative program that includes the bills, resolutions, or other recommendations of the Committee that are to be presented to the General Assembly at its next session;

(7)    to carry out its powers and duties under the Maryland Program Evaluation Act; and

(8)    at least every 2 years, to review and update as necessary the antiharassment policy and procedures of the General Assembly to create and maintain an environment in which all members and employees are treated with respect and are free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.

(b)    To carry out its functions, the Committee:

(1)    shall receive, from any source, suggestions for legislation or investigation;

(2)    may hold a hearing on any matter;

(3)    may appoint a special committee and delegate to that committee the authority specified in § 2–408 of this subtitle;

(4)    may refer a matter for study and report to any of its special committees or any committee of the General Assembly;

(5)    shall consider the reports of standing, statutory, and special committees;

(6)    may have any bill or resolution prepared to carry out its recommendations; and

(7)    when the General Assembly is not in session:

(i)    may accept a gift or grant of money from a person or public agency for any purpose that relates to the activities of the Legislative Policy Committee or of any other standing, statutory, or special committee; and

(ii)    may spend the money for that purpose, in accordance with the State budget.