28-8-104. Direction by legislature during sessions; joint interim committees; requests for services; establishment of priorities; appointment of select committees; vacancies; enlarging committees.

(a) The legislature during regular or special session may direct the director and his staff to perform such studies, duties or services as the legislature may prescribe.

(b) When the legislature is not in regular or special session, the respective standing committees of the house and senate shall function as joint interim committees. Each of these interim committees may request the office to perform specific studies and services for the interim committee conditioned only upon receipt of prior approval of the committee's request by the management council. All priorities based upon limitation of time and appropriation of the office shall be established by the management council and followed by the interim committees and individual legislators. Any specific study or service that is approved by the management council, including bill drafting and prefiling, shall be done under the supervision of the appropriate interim committee or the individual legislator.

(c) The management council shall have the right, when a joint interim committee is not performing its assigned study or a special study is desired, to appoint a select committee of not less than three (3) members without regard to its house or senate makeup to carry out the duties of the interim committee or the special study.

(d) The management council shall have the right to fill any vacancy or enlarge any committee to facilitate any assigned studies conducted during the interim.

(e) Of committees comprised of members of both houses of the legislature, only management council, joint interim committees of the legislature, the joint appropriations committee, the management audit committee and select committees explicitly authorized by statute or joint rule or resolution of the legislature shall sponsor and introduce legislation during a legislative session. Nothing in this subsection shall restrict the right of a member of the legislature to sponsor legislation.