Standing (Permanent) Committees of the Senate:
Standing committees are permanent bodies with specific responsibilities spelled out in the Senate's rules. These committees are charged with oversight of broad, but crucial functionaries of the Alliance government. Eight of the nine standing committees have direct oversight of one of the eight Ministries of the executive branch. The ninth committee oversees the Senators themselves.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs - Ministry of State - Diplomatic Affairs
The committee is responsible for oversight, legislation, and meetings pertaining, but not limited, to: Foreign Assistance; National Development Abroad; National security developments that affect foreign policy; Strategic planning and agreements with foreign nations; Arms control and disarmament issues; The Galactic Alliance Agency for International Development; Agency relating to arms and technology export; International law; Embassy security; International broadcasting; Public diplomacy; And all other foreign matters not designated to a subcommittee. The full Committee may conduct oversight and investigations with respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee as defined in the Rules of the Federal Assembly.
Members:
The Committee on Defense - Ministry of Defense - Military Oversight & Budget
The committee is responsible for oversight, legislation, and meetings pertaining, but not limited, to: Space activity associated with the development of weapons systems and military operations; common defense; Galactic Alliance Defense Force, generally; Military research and development; National security aspects of Superweapons; Naval tibanna reserves; Benefits and privileges of Defense Force members; Strategic and critical materials necessary for the common defense; and all other military matters not designated to a subcommittee. The full Committee may conduct oversight and investigations with respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee as defined in the Rules of the Federal Assembly.
Members:
The Committee on Finance & Commerce - Ministry of Commerce - Trade, Commerce, Financial Oversight
The committee is responsible for oversight, legislation, and meetings pertaining, but not limited, to: Hyperlane development, upkeep, and expansion; international trade agreements; banking regulation; Regulation of consumer products and services; Domestic financial and disaster aid; Sports and other tourism attractions; Bonded debt of the Galactic Alliance; General revenue sharing; Revenue measures generally; tariff and import quotas; and all other government finance matters not designated to a subcommittee. The full Committee may conduct oversight and investigations with respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee as defined in the Rules of the Federal Assembly.
Members:
The Committee on Intelligence - Intelligence Services - SIA oversight, Top-Secret Information
The committee is responsible for oversight, legislation, and meetings pertaining, but not limited, to: Intelligence reports; Intelligence budget; Intelligence activities; Intelligence collection Programs; Intelligence analysis; Intelligence conduct; international espionage; and various other intelligence matters not designated to a subcommittee. The full Committee may conduct oversight and investigations with respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee as defined in the Rules of the Federal Assembly and agreed upon by the Minister of Intelligence.
Members:
The Committee on the Judiciary - Ministry of Justice - Justice System, Marshalls
The committee is responsible for oversight, legislation, and meetings pertaining, but not limited, to: Judicial proceedings, civil and criminal, generally; immigration and naturalization; Measures relating to claims against the Alliance; National penitentiaries, their establishment, upkeep, and security; Protection of trade and commerce against unlawful restraint and monopolies; sector bound lines; Marshal activities; Benefits and privileges of marshal forces; and all other judiciary matters not designated to a subcommittee. The full Committee may conduct oversight and investigations with respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee as defined in the Rules of the Federal Assembly.
Members:
The Committee on Youth & Education - Ministry of Education - Children, Schools, Outreach
The committee is responsible for oversight, legislation, and meetings pertaining, but not limited, to: Elementary and secondary education; Special Education; Teacher quality and training; Vocational and technical education; Higher education programs; Financial oversight of the Alliance department of Education; Educational research and improvement; anti-poverty programs; and all other educational matters not designated to a subcommittee. The full Committee may conduct oversight and investigations with respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee as defined in the Rules of the Federal Assembly.
Members:
The Committee on Health & Science - Ministry of Health - Medicine, Technology, Hospitals
The committee is responsible for oversight, legislation, and meetings pertaining, but not limited, to: Public health; Health and human services; Disease control and prevention; Aging populations; Substance abuse; Healthcare research and quality; Exploration of space; Scientific research and development; Scientific agencies; Energy; Environments and atmospheres; and all other health and science matters not designated to a subcommittee. The full Committee may conduct oversight and investigations with respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee as defined in the Rules of the Federal Assembly.
Members:
The Committee on Agriculture - Ministry of Agriculture - Food Production, Nutrition, Ecology
The committee is responsible for oversight, legislation, and meetings pertaining, but not limited, to: Agricultural economics and research; Agricultural extension services and experiment stations; Agricultural production, marketing, and stabilization of prices; Agriculture and agricultural commodities; Animal industry and diseases; Crop insurance and soil conservation; Farm credit and farm security; Fresh food public programs; Forestry, and forest reserves and wilderness areas other than those created from the public domain; Inspection of livestock, meat, and agricultural products; Pests and pesticides; Plant industry, soils, and agricultural engineering; and all other agricultural matters not designated to a subcommittee. The full Committee may conduct oversight and investigations with respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Committee as defined in the Rules of the Federal Assembly.
Members:
The Committee on Rules - Internal Discipline & Rules
This committee is arguably one of the most powerful in the Senate with members sharing the responsibility for creating and enforcing the internal rules of the legislative body. This committee works closely with the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor to investigate ethical and criminal violations by fellow Senators. It has the power to punish Senators and can even recommend the expulsion of those it deems unworthy to serve.
Members:
Sub Committees (Permanent or Temporary) of Standing Committees:
Sub Committees are smaller branches of larger committees tasked with oversight of narrower topics that would normally be overseen by the larger committees. Examples of this might be a subcommittee specifically for banking under the purview of the Committee of Finance & Commerce, allowing these members to hone in on areas of expertise.
Subcommittee on the Admission of New Members (Ministry of State) - hears petitions from planets seeking membership in the GA and votes to grant them full or associate membership (with the goal of gaining full membership once certain criteria are met).
Members:
Subcommittee on Planetary Development (Ministry of State) - administers short-term funding to planets within the GA to improve the living conditions of citizens and strengthen economic growth.
Subcommittee on Galactic Infrastructure (Ministry of Commerce) - Recommends infrastructural projects across Alliance territory and outside of it where it would strengthen trade. Designates proposed budgets for these projects.
Members:
Subcommittee on Foreign Interference (Ministry of State) - Investigates reports of state-driven aggravations and seeks action to ensure national security when these issues arise.
Members:
Special Committees of the Senate:
Special committees of the senate are given the authority to oversee very narrow issues and are rarely given the freedom to explore topics that are not expressly in their jurisdiction. Their position in the senate can be permanent or temporary depending on their brief.
Special Committee on Force Affairs - Provides oversight, guidance, financial supervision, and representation for the New Jedi Order. The committee provides the same for force-sensitive criminals and prisoners of war.
Members:
- Chancellor's Pick
- N/A - [NJO Rep]
- N/A - [NJO Rep]
Select (Temporary) Committees of the Senate:
Select committees are temporary committees given authority by the full Senate to investigate or oversee very specific topics. Unlike Special Committees which are often permanent due to their brief, Select Committees are more often temporary due to the investigative nature of their work. Once these select committees have met their mandate or their purpose is no longer necessary they give a report to the full Senate and disband.
Select Committee on the Peaceful Transition of Kuat (Expired)
This Select Committee was charged with overseeing the peaceful transition of power on Kuat and the just treatment of the previous rulers. This committee's mandate expired when Kuat accepted the rule of Julius Loghain in a free and fair election.