(d) Organization and meetings.--The committee shall organize
as soon as possible after the appointment of members at the call
of the President pro tempore of the Senate, by electing a
chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary by majority vote of
the committee. The secretary need not be a member of the
committee.
(e) Powers and duties.--The committee shall have the same
powers as other standing committees of the General Assembly. The
committee shall:
(1) Upon request of a member of either chamber of the
General Assembly, complete a racial, ethnic, sex and gender
equity impact assessment for any legislation, including Rule
29 resolutions under the General Operating Rules of the
Senate and Rule 35 resolutions under the General Operating
Rules of the House of Representatives, which are initially
reported from either a standing committee of the Senate or a
standing committee of the House of Representatives, but not
both, to minimize unanticipated adverse consequences by
utilizing resources that may have any of the following:
(i) A history of expertise and positive outcomes in
racial, ethnic, sex or gender equity.
(ii) A deep understanding of ameliorating
disproportionate outcomes and unintended costs.
(2) Convene committee meetings and public hearings on
any matter relating to the functions, powers and duties of
the committee.
(3) Identify institutional policies and actions that, in
conjunction with public and private sector partners and
stakeholders and in support of racial, ethnic, sex or gender
equity, can work to improve or achieve racial, ethnic, sex or
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