§31-9A-15. Joint legislative committee; powers.

(a) The Joint Legislative Committee on Homeland Security Oversight is created. The committee shall be composed of three members of the Senate, one appointed by the President of the Senate, one appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and one appointed by the Senate Committee on Assignments; and three members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker. Each member shall serve a term on the committee concurrent with the legislative term of the member. Vacancies shall be filled by the original appointing authority. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

(b) Each member of the committee shall be entitled to regular legislative compensation, per diem, and travel expenses for each day he or she attends a meeting of the committee, which shall be paid out of the funds appropriated to the use of the Legislature, on warrants drawn on the state Comptroller upon requisition signed by the committee's chair. Members shall not receive additional compensation or per diem when the Legislature is in session.

(c) The committee shall review the operations of the department and shall report thereon annually to the Legislature. The report shall include, but not be limited to, suggestions for legislation.

(d) The department shall report quarterly to the committee the receipt and disbursement of federal funds for homeland security.

(e) The initial meeting of the committee shall jointly be called by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate. The committee shall organize itself at the first meeting and elect from among its membership a chair and a vice chair. The committee shall hold regular meetings at least quarterly.

(Act 2003-276, p. 658, §15.)