5-12-601. Modernization and risk analysis committee. (1) There is a modernization and risk analysis committee. The committee shall study the long-term future budget and revenue needs of the state with changing economics and demographics.

(2) The modernization and risk analysis committee is a bipartisan committee consisting of the following:

(a) six members of the legislative finance committee, with three members appointed by the presiding officer and three members appointed by the vice presiding officer of the legislative finance committee; and

(b) four members who are not officials or employees in the executive or legislative branches with two appointed by the presiding officer and two appointed by the vice presiding officer of the modernization and risk analysis committee; and

(c) an interim committee chairperson and vice chairperson of opposite parties as temporary voting members of the committee. The presiding officer of the modernization and risk analysis committee shall invite the two members based on the relevance of at least one of the topics of the upcoming meeting to the subject matter under the jurisdiction of a specific interim committee. If the chairperson or vice chairperson of the interim committee is unable to attend, the chairperson or vice chairperson may designate a member of the interim committee. The interim committee chairperson and vice chairperson must be invited at least 30 days prior to the meeting date.

(3) The legislative fiscal division shall provide administrative staff support and analysis to the modernization and risk analysis committee. The legislative services division may provide research and legal support at the request of the committee.

(4) The modernization and risk analysis committee shall:

(a) use available data and analytical resources to study the past, present, and future costs and revenues of all state and local government entities and other policy areas that affect the future well-being of the citizens of the state of Montana, including but not limited to:

(i) health care;

(ii) human services;

(iii) elementary and secondary education;

(iv) higher education;

(v) pensions;

(vi) public safety and corrections;

(vii) infrastructure and public works;

(viii) programs historically funded by revenue generated from natural resource taxes;

(ix) information technology systems of the state and local government.

(b) issue and, at the committee's discretion, accept invitations to work with interim committees on various data and analytic research projects;

(c) provide direction to the legislative fiscal division on the direction and priorities of data work of the division;

(d) create data sets and models for future analysis by the legislature; and

(e) take affirmative measures to use and disseminate data generated by and for the committee for educating, training, and increasing the competency of the public.