ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

Functions of the Economic Matters Committee trace to the Committee on Accounts formed in 1692. That committee was renamed the Committee on Claims (upon the Treasury) in the 1770s and continued as the Claims Committee from 1776 to 1968. In 1968, it was reformed as the Economic Matters Committee. Its budgetary and certain other duties were assigned to the Appropriations Committee in 1971.

The Economic Matters Committee considers legislation relating to alcoholic beverages; commercial law; corporations and associations; economic development; electronic commerce; financial institutions; licensing and regulation of businesses, including related occupations and professions; labor and employment; property and casualty insurance; unemployment insurance; utilities, including electric, gas, and telecommunications; and workers' compensation. Twenty-three delegates serve on this committee.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WORK GROUP

CONSUMER PROTECTION & COMMERCIAL LAW WORK GROUP
The Consumer Protection and Commercial Law Work Group began meeting as the Corporations Work Group. It reorganized under its present name in 2007. The Work Group discusses issues relating to corporations and associations, and commercial law, including consumer protection.

DEATHCARE INDUSTRY WORK GROUP
The Deathcare Work Group reviews bills regulating the funeral industry, including burials and cremation.

PUBLIC UTILITIES WORK GROUP
In January 2003, the Public Utilities Work Group began meeting. The Work Group reviews legislation regarding utility regulation.

SUBCOMMITTEES

The Economic Matters Committee works through five subcommittees.

BANKING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SUBCOMMITTEE
The Banking, Economic Development, Science and Technology Subcommittee originated as the Science and Technology Subcommittee, created in 1996. It reorganized under its present name in January 2003.

BUSINESS REGULATION SUBCOMMITTEE
The Business Regulation Subcommittee formed in January 2003.

PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE SUBCOMMITTEE
Functions of the Property and Casualty Insurance Subcommittee started in 1995, when the Real Property Subcommittee formed. Reorganized as the Real Estate and Housing Subcommittee in 1999, it adopted its present name in January 2003, and its earlier functions were transferred to the Environmental Matters Committee.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SUBCOMMITTEE
In 1995, the Unemployment Insurance Subcommittee formed.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION SUBCOMMITTEE
The Workers' Compensation Subcommittee organized in 1995.