Hearings

§ 4. Hearings. a. During each legislative session, chairpersons of\nstanding committees may call public hearings to permit interested\npersons, groups or organizations the opportunity to testify orally or in\nwriting on legislation or other matters pending before such standing\ncommittee provided, however, that each chairperson shall call such\npublic hearings upon a petition signed by a majority of the members of\nthe committee.\n b. Consistent with the provisions of subdivision d of section one of\nRule IV hereof, the chairperson of each standing committee shall call at\nleast one public hearing after the adoption of the state budget\nregarding the implementation and administration of programs of\ndepartments, agencies, divisions, authorities, boards, commissions,\npublic benefit corporations and other entities within the jurisdiction\nof such committee. The purpose of such public hearing shall include, but\nnot be limited to, the impact, if any, of the state budget on the\nimplementation and administration of the programs within such entities'\njurisdiction.\n c. Other public hearings may be called by committee chairpersons with\nprior consent of the Speaker and in accordance with procedure\nestablished by law.\n d. Each chairperson shall prepare a schedule setting forth the date\nand place for hearings and the subject matter to be considered thereat.\nCopies of such schedule shall be made available to the general public\nand representatives of the news media at least seven days prior to the\ndate of such hearing and filed with the Assembly Public Information\nOffice.\n