Bill > AR178

This Resolution establishes a special committee of the General Assembly, named the "Assembly Select Committee on the Executive Branch's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic," to examine how the state government handled the COVID-19 pandemic. This committee will consist of six members of the General Assembly, with three appointed by the Speaker and three by the Minority Leader, ensuring no more than three are from the same political party, and the chairperson and vice-chairperson will be from different parties. The committee's primary goal is to evaluate the executive branch's actions during the pandemic, identify successes and failures, and develop strategies to improve the state's preparedness for future health crises or other widespread emergencies. To achieve this, the committee is granted broad investigative powers, including the ability to issue subpoenas for testimony and documents, hold hearings, gather evidence, and call upon state employees and resources, though issuing subpoenas requires the approval of the chairperson, vice-chairperson, and the Speaker of the General Assembly.