Joint Study Order To Establish the Committee To Study the Prison Industries Program

the Senate concurring, that the Committee To Study the Prison Industries Program is established as follows.

1. Committee To Study the Prison Industries Program established. The Committee to Study the Prison Industries Program, referred to in this order as "the committee," is established.

2. Membership. The committee consists of the 13 members of the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.

3. Committee chairs. The Senate Chair and the House Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety are the chairs of the committee.

4. Convening of committee. The chairs of the committee shall call and convene the first meeting of the committee, which must be no later than September 15, 2007.

5. Duties. The committee's duties include:

AReviewing and assessing the current Department of Corrections' industries program, as well as past industries programs studies and proposed changes;BInvestigating industries programs in other states;CConsulting with the Department of Labor and other experts to help determine what areas of the workforce clients who participate in industries programs may be able to transition into upon release;DDeveloping a plan to ensure that an industries program has the financial capacity to be of value;EIdentifying a standard accounting procedure and other standard policies for operating an industries program; andFExercising any other steps necessary to evaluate, define and implement a financially viable, productive and useful corrections industries program that will support itself, provide support to the corrections system and provide skills to clients.

6. Staff assistance. The Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the committee.

7. Compensation. Members of the committee are entitled to receive the legislative per diem and reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses related to their attendance at authorized meetings of the committee.

8. Report. No later than January 15, 2008, the committee shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature. The committee is authorized to introduce legislation related to its report to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature at the time of submission of its report.

9. Extension. If the committee requires a limited extension of time to complete its study and make its report, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant an extension. Upon submission of its required report, the committee terminates.

10. Budget. The chairs of the committee, with assistance from the committee staff, shall administer the committee's budget. Within 10 days after its first meeting, the committee shall present a work plan and proposed budget to the Legislative Council for its approval. The committee may not incur expenses that would result in the committee's exceeding its approved budget. Upon request from the committee, the Executive Director of the Legislative Council shall promptly provide the committee chairs and staff with a status report on the committee's budget, expenditures incurred and paid and available funds.