Committees are typically responsible for holding hearings, gathering information, and conducting investigations on specific issues or legislative proposals.

Standing committees are permanent committees that are established by the rules of the legislative body and have a broad jurisdiction over a specific area of policy. Select committees are temporary committees that are created for a specific purpose and have a narrower jurisdiction.

The committee chair is responsible for presiding over committee meetings, setting the committee's agenda, and voting on legislation.

The committee ranking member is the leader of the minority party on the committee and serves as the committee's vice chair. They also vote on legislation.

Committee hearings are held to gather information on a specific issue, allow the public to express their views on a specific issue, and debate legislation.

A subpoena is a court order that requires a person to appear before a court or to produce documents. A summons is a committee order that requires a person to appear before a committee. A subpoena can be used to compel testimony, while a summons cannot.

The committee staff provides research and analysis to the committee, assists the committee in drafting legislation, and schedules committee meetings and hearings.

A committee report is a summary of the committee's findings on a specific issue and is typically non-binding. A committee bill is a legislative proposal that is drafted by the committee and is voted on by the full legislative body.

Committees play a vital role in the legislative process by holding hearings and gathering information, drafting legislation, and voting on legislation.

There are three main types of committees in a legislative body: standing committees, select committees, and subcommittees.

A committee of the whole is composed of all members of the legislative body, while a standing committee is composed of a smaller number of members. A committee of the whole can consider any legislation, while a standing committee can only consider legislation that has been approved by a standing committee. A committee of the whole typically meets in public, while a standing committee typically meets in private.

Committees play a vital role in the oversight of the executive branch by holding hearings and gathering information, conducting investigations, and issuing subpoenas.

Committees can vote on legislation by voice vote, by roll call vote, or by secret ballot.

A committee amendment is proposed by a member of the committee, while a floor amendment is proposed by a member of the full legislative body. A committee amendment is voted on by the committee, while a floor amendment is voted on by the full legislative body. A committee amendment can only be offered to legislation that is being considered by the committee, while a floor amendment can be offered to any legislation.