Executive Branch Committees

• Each of the 50 states is led by a governor, the leader of the executive branch of state government. The governor appoints a cabinet and members of specific committees to advance a specific policy platform. For example, Washington state has a "Sunshine Committee" whose members recommend ways to make state government operations transparent. Alternatively, Texas has a Committee on People with Disabilities, which ensures that disabled Texans are able to live and work independently, according to the state's website. Executive branch committees may have specific authority to act on their own behalf, or they may exist only to advise executive branch officials, such as cabinet members or the governor directly.
  
  

Legislative Branch Committees

• The legislative branch of each state government has committees made up of state legislators that have the responsibility of studying and recommending legislative action to full legislative chambers. These committees accept expert testimony from policy experts to keep legislators fully informed and help them write legislation. For example, the California Assembly's budget committee has primary jurisdiction over the state's budget. The committee reviews and approves the Governor's budget. Alternatively, state legislative committees exist to consider the Governor's nomination for the state's court system.
  
  

Judicial Branch Committees

• Each state government also has a judicial branch, dedicated to ensuring justice for the state's residents. Each state has a supreme court, lower appellate courts and trial courts to settle various criminal and civil disputes between parties. Many judicial branches have committees that engage in related functions, such as committees to decide whether someone is guilty of the unauthorized practice of law, whether to approve candidates for admission to the state bar, or committees to review state court efficiency.
  
  

Committee Appointment Process

• To be appointed to many executive, legislative or judicial branch committees, you must have proper credentials for the committee's jurisdiction. For example, a judicial branch committee dedicated to improving court operations will be made up of lawyers who have passed the state's bar exam, have worked in the court system, and understanding the court structure, along with its operational strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, you need to be well connected if you expect to receive these appoints, as they are high profile and competitive. For example, former legislators are well positioned to receive appointments by the governor to executive branch committees because they have been state lawmakers, likely know the governor or the governor's staff, and have expertise in state government operations. Many appointees may have supported the elected official in her run for elective office.