Sec 41-4257. Joint legislative committee on border and homeland security; membership; powers and duties; executive sessions; committee termination

A. The joint legislative committee on border and homeland security is established consisting of the following members who have an interest in and familiarity with issues and programs concerning border and homeland security:

1. Five members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate, not more than three of whom are members of the same political party. The president of the senate shall designate one member as cochairperson.

2. Five members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, not more than three of whom are members of the same political party. The speaker of the house of representatives shall designate one member as cochairperson.

B. The president and the speaker of the house of representatives shall each appoint a cochairperson of the committee.

C. The committee shall meet on the call of the cochairpersons, except that the committee shall not meet more than ten times each year unless the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives agree to additional meetings. The committee shall meet at least annually to review grant allocations and expenditures as reported by the governor's office of homeland security.

D. The committee shall:

1. Have access to all homeland security grant information on request of a chairperson of the committee or a majority vote of the committee.

2. Provide a forum for persons to express their concerns about state programs that relate to border and homeland security.

3. Make administrative and legislative recommendations concerning border and homeland security issues.

4. Prepare an annual written report on its work, findings and recommendations. The committee shall submit the report electronically to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives on or before December 31 of each year and shall provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.

E. The committee has the authority conferred by law on legislative committees.

F. Members of the committee shall be reimbursed by their respective houses in the same manner provided by law for a member of the legislature who attends a duly called meeting of a standing committee.

G. The committee may use the services of legislative staff.

H. Notwithstanding any other law, the committee may vote to go into executive session to take testimony or evidence that it considers to be sensitive or confidential in nature and that, if released, could compromise the security or safety of law enforcement or military personnel or a law enforcement or national guard law enforcement support operation.

I. The committee established by this section ends on July 1, 2024 pursuant to section 41-3103.