SECOND REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 983
91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATORS SIMS AND KENNEDY.
Read 1st time January 21, 2002, and 1,000 copies ordered printed.
TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.
4126S.01I
AN ACT
To amend chapter 38, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to a joint committee on terrorism, bioterrorism, and homeland security, with an emergency clause and an expiration date for a certain section.
Section A. Chapter 38, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 38.050, to read as follows:
38.050. 1. There is established a joint committee of the general assembly to be known as the "Joint Committee on Terrorism, Bioterrorism, and Homeland Security" to be composed of seven members of the senate and seven members of the house of representatives. The senate members of the joint committee shall be appointed by the president pro tem and minority floor leader of the senate and the house members shall be appointed by the speaker and minority floor leader of the house of representatives. The appointment of each member shall continue during the member's term of office as a member of the general assembly or until a successor has been appointed to fill the member's place when his or her term of office as a member of the general assembly has expired. No party shall be represented by more than four members from the house of representatives nor more than four members from the senate. A majority of the committee shall constitute a quorum, but the concurrence of a majority of the members shall be required for the determination of any matter within the committee's duties.
2. The joint committee shall:
(1) Make a continuing study and analysis of all state government terrorism, bioterrorism, and homeland security efforts;
(2) Devise a standard reporting system to obtain data on each state government agency that will provide information on each agency's terrorism, bioterrorism, and homeland security status at least biennially;
(3) Determine from its study and analysis the need for changes in statutory law; and
(4) Make any other recommendation to the general assembly necessary to provide adequate terrorism, bioterrorism, and homeland security to the citizens of the state of Missouri.
3. The joint committee shall meet within thirty days after its creation and organize by selecting a chairperson and a vice chairperson, one of whom shall be a member of the senate and the other a member of the house of representatives. The chairperson shall alternate between members of the house and senate every two years after the committee's organization.
4. The committee shall meet at least quarterly. The committee may meet at locations other than Jefferson City when the committee deems it necessary.
5. The committee shall be staffed by legislative personnel as is deemed necessary to assist the committee in the performance of its duties.
6. The members of the committee shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.
7. It shall be the duty of the committee to compile a full report of its activities for submission to the general assembly. The report shall be submitted not later than the fifteenth of January of each year in which the general assembly convenes in regular session and shall include any recommendations which the committee may have for legislative action as well as any recommendations for administrative or procedural changes in the internal management or organization of state or local government agencies and departments. Copies of the report containing such recommendations shall be sent to the appropriate directors of state or local government agencies or departments included in the report.
8. The provisions of this section shall expire on December 31, 2007.
Section B. Because immediate action is necessary to adequately protect the citizens of this state from terrorism and bioterrorism section A of this act is deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, welfare, peace, and safety, and is hereby declared to be an emergency act within the meaning of the constitution, and section A of this act shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and approval.