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Topic
Selection: Topics are solicited from PRI committee members and legislators. PRI staff present detailed potential study outlines - called "scopes" - to the committee, which can adjust the outlines. The committee selects five to seven topics by majority vote of the full membership (i.e., at least seven "yes" votes). |
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| 2. |
Research: PRI staff conduct the studies using a variety of methods, including: |
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Extensive examination of statutes, regulations, and
records (programmatic and financial) |
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Interviews with personnel, customers, other stakeholders,
and experts, within and outside Connecticut |
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Surveys of personnel and customers |
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Field visits |
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Literature reviews |
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Informational public hearings |
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| 3. |
Presentation of Study Progress and Public Hearing(s): PRI staff writes an interim, initial report - without recommendations - and presents the report to the committee. The presentation is followed by a public hearing. |
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Consideration of Findings and Recommendations: After research is completed, PRI staff writes a second report that details the staff's findings and sets forth proposed recommendations to remedy any identified problems. The committee, by majority vote, may adjust the recommendations. A majority vote of the full committee membership is needed to accept the findings and recommendations report. |
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Legislative Recommendations Become Bills: The committee may raise and report out bills containing study recommendations that need statutory change or authorization for implementation. Any bill passed out of PRI will need to be considered by a committee of cognizance. Legislative recommendations are not enacted until both the House and the Senate pass the bill, and the governor signs the legislation into law. |
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Publication of Final Committee Report: PRI staff merges the briefing report and the findings and recommendations report (as approved by the committee with any changes) into a final committee report. Prior to the report printing, the relevant agencies may comment in writing on the report; any such comments are included in the final report's appendix. |
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| 7. |
Two
Years of Annual Follow-up |
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With Relevant Agencies: To determine whether the administrative recommendations have been implemented. If they have not, then the committee may request testimony. |
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On Legislation: To track whether recommendations have been implemented through the passing the enactment of legislation. The committee may choose to re-raise bills that were initiated in PRI, in previous years. |
