JSCBAPR
CRS Report on the Joint Select Committee on
Budget and Appropriations Process Reform
CRS Report
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE?
Meetings and Hearings
The committee is required to hold its first meeting not later than 30 calendar days after the date of enactment (March 11, 2018). [1] The co-chairs of the committee must provide an agenda to committee members at least 48 hours in advance of any meeting.
The committee is authorized and expected to hold hearings that may include testimony from witnesses. The committee is required to hold no fewer than “five public meetings or public hearings” and a minimum of “three public hearings, which may include field hearings.”[2] The co-chairs of the committee are required to publicly announce the date, place, time, and subject matter of any hearing at least seven days in advance unless the co-chairs determine that there is “good cause” to hold a hearing at an earlier date.
Each co-chair is entitled to select an equal number of witnesses for each hearing. A witness appearing before the committee is required to file a written statement of proposed testimony at least two calendar days before his or her appearance. [3]
The law specifies that nine members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for purposes of voting and meeting, and five members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for holding hearings. [4]
Report and Recommendations
The act states that the committee shall provide recommendations and legislative language that will significantly reform the budget and appropriations process. By November 30, 2018, the committee is required to vote on (1) a report that contains a detailed statement of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the committee and (2) proposed legislative language to carry out those recommendations. [5]
The text of any report and proposed legislative language shall be publicly available in electronic form at least 24 hours prior to its consideration by the joint select committee. [6] The report and the proposed legislative language must be approved by a majority of each of (1) the committee members appointed by the Speaker of the House and the majority leader of the Senate and (2) the committee members appointed by the House and Senate minority leaders. [7] The law specifies that nine members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for purposes of voting. No proxy voting is permitted. [8]
Committee members may file supplemental, minority, or additional views to be included in the committee report. [9]