CHAPTER 606
FORMERLY HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6
AS AMENDED BY
HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1
AND SENATE AMENDMENT NO. I
CREATING A TASK FORCE ON LEGISLATIVE REORGANIZATION TO PLAN AND IMPLEMENT ANY NEEDED OR DESIRED REORGANIZATION OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT: PRESCRIBING CERTAIN POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SUCH TASK FORCE: AND PROVIDING A SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION FOR THE EXPENSES INCURRED BY SUCH TASK FORCE.
WHEREAS, because of the recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on Executive Reorganization, the executive branch of the Delaware state government was successfully reorganized into a cabinet form of organization to provide for greater efficiency in government; and
WHEREAS, the General Assembly acknowledges the need and desirability to continually update and improve its methods of operation in order to strengthen the legislative branch and maintain a more equitable balance within the state governmental structure, so that the legislature can continue to be effective and responsive to needs of the people; and
WHEREAS, a recently published report by the Citizen's Conference on State Legislatures appears to confirm that a reevaluation of the legislative branch is necessary; and
WHEREAS, it is therefore desirable to appoint the members of a Task Force on Legislative Reorganization, prescribe the duties and responsibilities of such a Task Force, and to set guidelines in the research and studies conducted by the Task Force.
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 126th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that a Task Force on Legislative Reorganization is created, which Task Force will have the following duties, responsibilities and characteristics:
1. The membership of the Task Force shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate. It shall consist of nine members, two members from each House, one member from each county, one member from the City of Wilmington, and one member-at-large.
2. The Task Force shall conduct such studies and research as are necessary to determine the need, feasibility and possible methods of legislative reorganization.
3. The Task Force shall have a Chairman, designated from its membership by the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate, who shall keep records of all Task Force proceedings and make the same available at all times to both Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate.
4. The Task Force shall make reports and recommendations including drafts of required legislation on the implementation of legislative reorganization, if any. The Final Report of the Task Force shall be returned to the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore for its consideration on or before January 15, 1972. The Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate, may, however, extend the due date for submission of the Final Report. The Task Force shall issue interim progress reports on or before June 15, 1971, and September 15, 1971.
0. The Task Force shall work with the Legislative Council staff and with such other agencies or persons which it, in its discretion, deems advisable. This shall include especially any committee or joint committee of the General Assembly established, to be established, to deal with this specific subject.
1. The Task Force itself, by majority vote, may employ such personnel, staff and consultants, upon such terms and conditions, within the appropriations authorized, as it deems necessary.
2. The Task Force is empowered to seek information from every available source and to request the assistance of the executive and judicial branches of government.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the sum of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) is appropriated out of the General Fund of the State Treasury to the Task Force on legislative reorganization. This appropriation shall be considered a supplementary appropriation and the unexpended funds hereby appropriated shall revert to the General Fund on January 15, 1972.