(a) This Joint Rule is adopted pursuant to the General Assembly’s authority under Article V, Section 12 of the state constitution in order to provide staff services to the individual members of the General Assembly to assist them in the performance of their legislative duties and functions.
(b) Each member of the Senate and the House of Representatives may employ two legislative aides; however, the employment of two legislative aides shall be subject to the limitation on the total number of hours set per member pursuant to the policies of the Executive Committee of the Legislative Council established in accordance with subsections (c) and (d) of this Joint Rule. Legislative aides shall be hired by each member through the office of the secretary of the Senate or the office of the chief clerk of the House of Representatives, as appropriate. Multiple members of the General Assembly may agree to share the services of the same legislative aide or aides. Subject to policies established by the Executive Committee of the Legislative Council pursuant to subsection (c) of this Joint Rule and the duration of such positions set pursuant to subsection (d) of this Joint Rule, legislative aides serve at the pleasure of the hiring member or members and are appointed without regard to the state personnel system.
(c) The Executive Committee of the Legislative Council shall establish policies governing the employment of legislative aides. Such policies shall be consistent with the provision of this Joint rule and any other applicable provisions of law. The secretary of the Senate shall have primary administrative responsibility for the implementation of these policies with respect to legislative aides hired by members of the Senate, and the chief clerk of the House of Representatives shall have primary administrative responsibility for the implementation of these policies with respect to legislative aides hired by members of the House of Representatives.
(d) Legislative Aides shall be compensated at a rate set by the Executive Committee of the Legislative Council. The Executive Committee of the Legislative Council shall set the dates when legislative aide positions commence and end.