KRS 6.910: Purpose, powers, and duties of committee -- Confidentiality of working

papers and other information -- Closed meetings authorized -- Witnesses

-- Subpoenas.

(1) The purpose of the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee shall

be to serve as the main investigative committee in the General Assembly. The

committee shall have the authority to investigate the subjects within the

committee's legislative jurisdiction and within the jurisdiction of other standing

or statutory committees of the General Assembly.

(2) The committee shall have the discretionary power to:

(a) Make studies of the operations of state agencies to ascertain that sums

appropriated have been, or are being, expended for the purposes for

which such appropriations were made and to evaluate the effectiveness

of programs in accomplishing legislative intent;

(b) Study on a continuing basis the operations, practices, and duties of state

agencies, as they relate to efficiency in the utilization of space, personnel,

equipment, and facilities;

(c) Make such special studies and reports of the operations and functions of

state agencies as it deems appropriate and as may be requested by the

General Assembly;

(d) Make such reports on its findings and recommendations at such time and

in such manner as the committee deems proper, submitting such reports

to the agencies concerned, to the Governor and to the General Assembly.

Such reports shall relate to the following matters:

1. Whether any state agency is carrying out only those activities or

programs authorized by legal or administrative action; or

2. Whether the programs and activities of a state agency, or a

particular program or activity is being operated efficiently, effectively,

or in accordance with legislative or administrative intent; or

3. Whether there is a need for change in any authorized activity or

program of a state agency; or

4. Whether any reorganization of a state agency, or group of state

agencies, is needed or justified to accomplish the results of

programs or activities; or

5. Any combination of the purposes specified in this or any other

section of KRS 6.900 to 6.935;

(e) Treat information obtained or prepared by the committee or its staff as

confidential working papers subject to release according to the operating

rules and procedures adopted by the committee, and such information

shall be exempt from the open records requirements contained in KRS

61.870 to 61.884. The committee may close certain meetings and project

briefings to protect research pursuant to KRS 61.805 to 61.850, to allow

the exchange of confidential materials, and information, to protect the

identity of witnesses, when necessary, and to protect the integrity of the

study. Any information protected by federal laws shall not be subject to

public release;

(f) Consider and act on requests for studies submitted by legislators,

legislative committees, elected officials of state government, state cabinet

secretaries, and department and agency heads. Requests shall be

submitted in writing and shall state reasons to support the request. The

decision of the committee to grant or deny such a request shall be final;

(g) Review any conditions or circumstances that may indicate the necessity

or desirability of enacting new or additional legislation addressing subjects

within its jurisdiction or the jurisdiction of any standing or statutory

committee;

(h) Evaluate the effect of laws enacted to reorganize any branch of state

government;

(i) Conduct studies directed by joint resolution of the General Assembly;

(j) When the General Assembly is not in session, conduct studies:

1. Initiated by joint agreement of the co-chairs;

2. Initiated by a majority vote of the committee; or

3. Requested by the Legislative Research Commission or an interim

joint committee thereof. In the event two (2) or more studies are

requested, the priority among them shall be determined by the

committee;

(k) After voting to undertake a review under paragraph (j)(2.) of this

subsection, the committee shall notify the chair of the committee of

relevant jurisdiction;

(l) To determine if a witness should be prosecuted for perjury by testifying

falsely before the committee, and to institute appropriate penal

proceedings as provided by law. Any finding under this paragraph shall

require a majority vote of the committee; and

(m) Conduct a study of any matter without regard to jurisdiction of the matter

being conferred to another statutory or standing committee.

(3) Each witness who appears before the committee by its subpoena or order,

other than an officer or employee of the state, shall be entitled to the fees and

mileage provided for witnesses in civil cases in Circuit Court, which shall be

audited and paid upon the presentation of proper vouchers sworn to by such

witnesses and approved by the chair of the committee.

(4) The committee may issue subpoenas to compel the attendance and testimony

of witnesses or the production of documents, books, papers, or other records.

Subpoenas may be issued by agreement of the co-chairs or by a vote of the

majority of the members of the committee and shall be served in the same

manner as subpoenas for witnesses in civil cases. All provisions of law relative

to subpoenas issued in such cases, including compensation of witnesses, shall

apply to subpoenas issued by the committee.