House Bill No. 5233, introduced in the General Assembly's February Session of 2024, proposes the establishment of a task force to study the operations of the Department of Consumer Protection. The task force will consist of members appointed by various legislative leaders and the Governor, including two members each appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate, one each by the majority and minority leaders of both the House and Senate, and two by the Governor. Additionally, the Commissioner of Consumer Protection or their designee will be part of the task force.
The bill outlines the procedures for appointments, the selection of chairpersons, and the scheduling of the first meeting. It also specifies that the administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly with cognizance of consumer protection matters will serve as the task force's administrative staff. The task force is required to submit a report on its findings and recommendations by January 1, 2025, to the relevant joint standing committee, after which it will terminate. The bill includes a new insertion indicating the file number (File No. 85) and specifies that the act will take effect upon passage and create a new section. The fiscal impact statement indicates that there will be no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities as a result of this bill.