Section 21.880

Title III LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Chapter 21

Effective - 28 Aug 2014   

  21.880.  Joint committee established, members, meetings, duties, report — permanent subcommittee on the Missouri criminal code — staff assistance — compensation. — 1.  There is hereby established a permanent joint committee of the general assembly, which shall be known as the "Joint Committee on the Justice System" and shall be composed of the following members:

  (1)  The chairs of the senate and house committees on the judiciary;

  (2)  The ranking minority members of the senate and house committees on the judiciary;

  (3)  Two members of the senate appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate, one of whom shall be a member of the senate committee on appropriations;

  (4)  The chair of the house committee with jurisdiction over matters relating to criminal laws, law enforcement, and public safety;

  (5)  The chair of the house committee with jurisdiction over matters relating to state correctional institutions;

  (6)  A member of the senate appointed by the minority floor leader of the senate;

  (7)  A member of the house of representatives appointed by the minority floor leader of the house of representatives;

  (8)  Three nonvoting ex officio members who shall be the chief justice of the Missouri supreme court, the state auditor, and the attorney general, or their designees.

  2.  No more than three members from each house shall be of the same political party.

  3.  The joint committee shall meet within thirty days after its creation and organize by selecting a chair and vice chair, one of whom shall be the senate judiciary chair and one of whom shall be the house judiciary chair.  The positions of chair and vice chair shall alternate every two years thereafter between the senate and house.  After its organization, the committee shall meet regularly, at least twice a year, at such time and place as the chair designates, including locations other than Jefferson City.  A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum, but the concurrence of a majority of the members, other than the ex officio members, shall be required for the determination of any matter within the committee's duties.

  4.  In order to promote the effective administration of justice and public safety, it shall be the duty of the joint committee to:

  (1)  Review and monitor:

  (a)  The state's justice system;

  (b)  The state's criminal laws, law enforcement, and public safety;

  (c)  The state's correctional institutions and penal and correctional issues; and

  (d)  All state government efforts related to terrorism, bioterrorism, and homeland security;

  (2)  Receive reports from the judicial branch, state or local government agencies or departments, and any entities attached to them for administrative purposes;

  (3)  Conduct an ongoing study and analysis of the state's justice system and related issues;

  (4)  Determine the need for changes in statutory law, rules, policies, or procedures;

  (5)  Make any recommendations to the general assembly for legislative action; and

  (6)  Perform other duties authorized by concurrent resolution of the general assembly.

  5.  By January 15, 2016, and every year thereafter, it shall be the duty of the joint committee to file with the general assembly a report of its activities, along with any findings or recommendations the committee may have for legislative action.

  6.  The joint committee shall establish a permanent subcommittee on the Missouri criminal code, which shall conduct and supervise a continuing program of revision designed to maintain the cohesiveness, consistency, and effectiveness of the criminal laws of the state.  In connection with this program, the committee may select an advisory committee on the Missouri criminal code, composed of a representative of the Missouri supreme court, a representative of the office of the attorney general, and other individuals known to be interested in the improvement of the state's criminal laws, and may authorize the payment of any actual and necessary expenses incurred by such members while attending meetings with the committee or the subcommittee on the Missouri criminal code.  The subcommittee on the Missouri criminal code shall present to the general assembly in each tenth year such criminal code revision bills as it finds appropriate to accomplish its purpose.

  7.  The joint committee may make reasonable requests for staff assistance from the research and appropriations staffs of the senate and house and the joint committee on legislative research, and may employ such personnel as it deems necessary to carry out the duties imposed by this section, within the limits of any appropriation for such purpose.  In the performance of its duties, the committee may request assistance or information from all branches of government and state departments, agencies, boards, commissions, and offices.

  8.  The members of the committee shall serve without compensation, but any actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of the committee's official duties by the joint committee, its members, and any staff assigned to the committee shall be paid from the joint contingent fund.

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(L. 2014 H.B. 1231 merged with S.B. 621)