2020 Regular Session

The Senate Appropriations Committee conducts hearings on bills that change expenditures or revenues and affect the budget. The Committee typically reserves discussion for the fiscal impact of the bills. Many of the bills considered by the Committee have had hearings in other committees before being referred to Appropriations and for those bills that have previously had a hearing the Committee does not customarily take public testimony.

The Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee considers matters concerning the regulation of professions and occupations, property and casualty insurance, unemployment insurance, health insurance, workers' compensation insurance, economic development, banks and financial institutions, real estate, labor, and technology. In addition, the committee has legislative oversight responsibility for the Department of Labor, the Department of Personnel and Administration, the Department of Regulatory Agencies, and the Office of Information Technology.

The Senate Education Committee considers matters concerning: K-12 public schools, including public school accountability and school finance; and higher education, including administration and governance, tuition, and financial assistance.  In addition, the committee has legislative oversight responsibility for the departments of Education and Higher Education.

The Senate Finance Committee generally considers matters related to a broad range of public finance proposals including legislation that affects the state's revenue and tax structure.  In addition, the committee has legislative oversight responsibility for the Public Employees' Retirement Association, Department of Revenue, State Treasury, and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee considers matters concerning state health and welfare programs, health insurance, social services, and environmental health.  The committee also has legislative oversight responsibility for the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Public Health and Environment.

The Legislative Audit Committee (LAC) is a permanent standing committee comprised of four senators and four representatives with equal representation from the two major political parties. The Committee is responsible for reviewing and releasing audit reports and recommending special studies. The LAC also recommends an appointment for State Auditor to the leadership of the General Assembly every five years. The meeting minutes can be found on the Office of the State Auditor's webiste.

The committee is responsible for developing and updating a plan for the response by, and continuation of operations of, the General Assembly and the legislative service agencies in the event of an emergency epidemic or disaster and may also recommend legislation on this topic.

The Joint Technology Committee (JTC) is a year-round committee with oversight responsibility for major state technology projects and the Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT).

The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee generally considers matters concerning water, agriculture, wildlife, and recreation.  In addition, the committee has legislative oversight responsibility for the departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The Senate State Affairs Committee generally considers matters concerning elections, campaign finance, military and veterans affairs, and other subject areas related to state government.  In addition, the committee has legislative oversight responsibility for the departments of State and Military and Veterans Affairs.