JOINT STUDY ORDER TO STUDY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRIVATIZATION OF THE STATE'S WHOLESALE LIQUOR BUSINESS
ORDERED, the House concurring, that the Committee to Study the Implementation of the Privatization of the State's Wholesale Liquor Business is established as follows.
1. Committee established. The Committee to Study the Implementation of the Privatization of the State's Wholesale Liquor Business, referred to in this order as "the committee," is established.
2. Membership. The committee consists of the following 9 members:
A. Four members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate, one of whom serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs, one of whom serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and 2 of whom serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Legal and Veterans Affairs; and
B. Five members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House, 2 of whom serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs, one of whom serves on the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and 2 of whom serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Legal and Veterans Affairs.
3. Committee chairs. The first-named Senator is the Senate chair of the committee and the first-named member of the House is the House chair of the committee.
4. Appointments; convening of committee. All appointments must be made no later than 30 days following passage of this order. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been made. When the appointment of all members has been completed, the chairs of the committee shall call and convene the first meeting of the committee, which must be no later than August 15, 2003.
5. Duties. The committee may hold up to 3 meetings, which must be held in Augusta. The committee shall gather information and request necessary data from public and private entities in order to review the progress of the implementation of the privatization of the State's wholesale liquor business. In conducting its study, the committee shall specifically:
A. Review the bidding process by which the State will lease the wholesale liquor distribution rights to a private distributor; and
B. Explore issues associated with the responsibility for enforcement of the laws governing the manufacture, importation, storage and sale of all liquor and with administering the laws relating to licensing and the collection of taxes on malt liquor and wine.
6. Staff assistance. Upon approval of the Legislative Council, the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis 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 December 3, 2003, the committee shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Second Regular Session of the 121st Legislature. The committee is authorized to introduce a bill related to its report to the Second Regular Session of the 121st 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 task force 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.
Passed by the Senate June 10, 2003 and the House of Representatives June 11, 2003.
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