The interim activities of standing committees are critical to the role of the legislature as a co-equal branch of state government. The authority of the legislature as policymaker is exercised during the interim through the standing committees, essentially through studies, oversight, and pre-session hearing of legislation.
Committees also conduct outreach activities during the interim.
The standing committees engage in several kinds of interim studies, all having significance for legislative policymaking. Research studies Committees have authority and responsibility to conduct research studies for the legislature. Interim meetings are subject to specific notice requirements. Studies may be conducted jointly with the corresponding Senate committee having jurisdiction of the subject matter or by the House committee only. Many studies are directed by a study request, a legislative instrument requesting the committee or a joint committee to study a particular problem.