5-5-202. Interim committees. - Montana Statutes

     5-5-202. Interim committees. (1) During an interim when the legislature is not in session, the committees listed in subsection (2) are the interim committees of the legislature. They are empowered to sit as committees and may act in their respective areas of responsibility. The functions of the legislative council, legislative audit committee, legislative finance committee, environmental quality council, water policy committee, and state-tribal relations committee are provided for in the statutes governing those committees.
     (2) The following are the interim committees of the legislature:
     (a) economic affairs committee;
     (b) education and local government committee;
     (c) children, families, health, and human services committee;
     (d) law and justice committee;
     (e) energy and telecommunications committee;
     (f) revenue and transportation committee; and
     (g) state administration and veterans' affairs committee.
     (3) An interim committee or the environmental quality council may refer an issue to another committee that the referring committee determines to be more appropriate for the consideration of the issue. Upon the acceptance of the referred issue, the accepting committee shall consider the issue as if the issue were originally within its jurisdiction. If the committee that is referred an issue declines to accept the issue, the original committee retains jurisdiction.
     (4) If there is a dispute between committees as to which committee has proper jurisdiction over a subject, the legislative council shall determine the most appropriate committee and assign the subject to that committee.

     History: En. Sec. 10, Ch. 431, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 43-718; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 138, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 353, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 19, Ch. 19, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 210, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 565, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 285, L. 2009.