The JLARC Research Process

To carry out its oversight responsibilities, JLARC issues several types of legislative reports. Performance reports evaluate the accomplishment of legislative intent and assess whether program expenditures are consistent with appropriations. Operational reports assess agency success in making efficient and effective use of space, personnel, equipment, and other resources. Special reports are made on State operations and functions at the direction of the Commission or at the request of the General Assembly. Many of these special reports require statistical applications to assess policy and program effectiveness.

A JLARC study begins when the Legislature identifies a topic for review. The General Assembly typically directs studies by passing joint resolutions of the House and Senate, or by including language in the Appropriation Act.

The Commission approves a general plan of work for studies in the annual Workplan. The project is assigned to a staff team which then prepares a more detailed workplan. The project workplan documents the specific issues or quesitons to be addressed and the research approach to be used. The JLARC management team approves each project workplan.

The research is then completed by the assigned team. The research may include interviews with agency personnel, collection and analysis of data from agency records, written or electronic surveys of employees and/or customers, site visits, observation of processes, analysis of financial records, review of relevant literature and other research (such as a similar study in another state), and analysis of secondary data.

After the team completes its research, it prepares a report which is reviewed internally and subjected to quality assurance standards. Subsequently, an exposure draft is distributed to appropriate agencies for their review and comment.

A revised draft, which also contains agency comments, is presented to the Commission at one of its monthly public meetings. An oral presentation of study findings and recommendations is also made at the meeting. The Commission authorizes publication of the study as a legislative document. The printed report is distributed to members of the General Assembly, the Governor, and other interested parties. JLARC reports and presentations are also made available to the public on the JLARC website.