When the Senate wants to investigate an issue outside of the standing committee system, it should appoint an ad hoc committee. The full Senate can assign any issue to an ad hoc committee. Recommendations or proposals from an ad hoc committee shall be sent directly to the full Senate. Membership on an ad hoc committee is not restricted to members of the Senate, but must be approved by the full Senate.
Over the past several years a number of task forces have been created to deal with specific or special issues. When the Senate approves such task forces it seems like a waste of effort to then send results to a Senate standing committee. Rather than duplicate effort by creating a task force, the Senate should instead create an ad hoc committee with the results going directly to the Senate. The term task force should be for an activity outside the bounds of the Senate and task force results normally should be referred to a Senate standing committee.
Proposal withdrawn by Senate Officers. (September 11, 1996)