(a) "Appointing authority" means the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, subject to the rules of the respective bodies over which each presides.

(b) "Interim committee" includes any committee of three or more members of the Legislative Assembly appointed pursuant to the provisions of this section to pursue the functions described in ORS 171.610, whether the appointing authority designates the committee an interim committee, task force, special committee or any other term customarily used in describing legislative committees functioning during the interim period.

(2) Upon or during the interim following adjournment of a regular session of the Legislative Assembly, the appointing authorities may appoint interim committees of members of the house over which the particular authority presides, or members of both houses, and may assign the general topic of study or concern to the committee.

(3) The appointing authorities may appoint members of the public to an interim committee. The appointing authorities must consult with each other before appointing members of the public to a joint interim committee. The appointing authority may appoint the chairperson of an interim committee. An appointing authority must notify the Legislative Administration Committee in writing of the appointment and membership of all interim committees created.

(4) An interim committee created under authority of this section is subject to the provisions of ORS 171.605 to 171.635 and has the authority contained in ORS 171.505 and 171.510. An interim committee created under authority of this section may file its written report at any time within 30 days after its final meeting, or at such later time as the appointing authority or, in the case of a joint committee, as the appointing authorities may designate.

(5) An appointing authority may employ the persons that the appointing authority considers necessary to perform the function of the interim committees created under authority of this section. The appointing authority shall fix the duties and amounts of compensation of employees. Interim committees shall use the services of permanent legislative staff to the greatest extent practical.

(6) Members of the Legislative Assembly are entitled to an allowance as authorized by law for each day that they are engaged in interim committee business that is approved by the appointing authority. Claims for expenses incurred in performing functions of an interim committee shall be paid out of funds appropriated for the expenses of the Legislative Assembly. [1987 c.879 §24; 2003 c.207 §5]