Sec. 5. (a) The council may:

(1) on its own initiative or at the direction of the general assembly or of the senate or house of representatives, study subjects of interest and concern, and based on such a study, recommend such legislation as the welfare of the state may require;

(2) direct standing committees of the senate or house of representatives, or appoint committees and subcommittees subject to the authority of the council, to carry out studies on subjects of interest and concern;

(3) recommend such codification and general revision of the constitution and the laws of the state as may from time to time be necessary;

(4) require any officer or agency, board, commission, committee or other instrumentality of the state or of a political subdivision of the state to provide information bearing on subjects under consideration by the council or by standing committee or any of its committees or subcommittees;

(5) by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of its members present and voting:

(A) administer oaths, issue subpoenas, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of papers, books, accounts, documents and testimony and have the deposition of witnesses taken in the manner prescribed by law for taking depositions in civil actions bearing on subjects under consideration by the council or by any of its committees or subcommittees; and

(B) petition, through the presiding officer of the council, any circuit court, superior court, or probate court of the appropriate county for an order for compliance with any order or subpoenas issued under this section;

(6) adopt such rules and procedures and organize such agencies as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out its duties;

(7) receive appropriations and make allocations for the reasonable and necessary expenditures of the council and the standing and interim committees of the house of representatives, senate and general assembly;

(8) enter into whatever contracts or other arrangements deemed by it to be necessary or appropriate to exercising its rights, privileges, and powers and performing its duties under this chapter and IC 2-6-1.5 and to carrying out the intent, purposes, and provisions of this chapter and IC 2-6-1.5; and

(9) do all other things necessary and proper to perform the functions of the legislative department of government and to carry out the intent, purposes and provisions of this chapter.

(b) The council may authorize its executive director to act on its behalf and with its authority on any matter of administration under this chapter and under IC 2-6-1.5, including executing and implementing any contract or other arrangement under which it agrees to be bound.

As added by Acts 1978, P.L.5, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.84-2016, SEC.2.