"In The Know" - Study

Two words that you hear coming into the 2nd period of session are amendment and study.

A legislative study is an in-depth examination of a specific issue, using legislative resources to assess impact, best practices, and potential solutions. Studies often emerge when lawmakers feel they need more information before making sound policy decisions. Instead of immediate action, a study clause may be inserted into legislation, allowing for further scrutiny while postponing a final resolution to ensure the best approach is taken.

Legislative studies fall into two categories: SHALL and MAY

• SHALL studies are mandatory—these must be completed with no exceptions.
• MAY studies are optional, considered based on the issue’s importance, scope, and urgency. While shall studies take priority, may studies are evaluated for feasibility.

Legislative Management assigns selected may and required shall studies to interim committees, which have roughly 16 months to complete their work (Reminder: Interim is the period between sessions). This process involves public hearings, expert testimony, and data collection. The findings can lead to recommendations, draft legislation, or directives for state agencies, sometimes even identifying necessary funding for implementation.

Some of the currently proposed studies cover topics such as property tax, criminal justice, education, term limits, and healthcare. As you can see, no topic is off the table.

Right now, GNDC has a study we’re particularly focused on—SB 2249. Initially, it was another healthcare mandate, and we strongly opposed it, even filing testimony against it. But after being amended into a study, the bill took on a new purpose: examining the broader issue of healthcare mandates. Here’s what we know—once a mandate becomes law, it rarely, if ever, goes away, even as innovation advances and costs shift. The result? Healthcare costs keep climbing. That’s why we support this study. It’s a critical issue for our members, and taking the time to evaluate its long-term impact is the right move.