The Joint State Government Commission is the primary non-partisan research organization that serves the General Assembly. It provides the legislature with a readily available mechanism for conducting interdisciplinary studies.

The Commission is comprised of a diverse research staff experienced in statistical analysis, survey methods, report writing, making policy recommendations and drafting legislation.

The Commission's multidisciplinary staff provides services to legislative task forces and advisory committees, standing committees, and individual legislators.

There are two types of organizational structure that the Commission uses when conducting studies: task force and staff studies.

Task forces are typically utilized for large, complex areas of study. They consist of members of both the House and Senate, representing both caucuses. An advisory committee of experts is usually appointed to assist the task force and Commission. The goal of these studies is to reach consensus on recommendations to propose to the legislature.

Staff studies are of shorter duration and provide for the Commission to conduct independent research.

Pennsylvania is known for its demographic and geographic diversity, home to large urban centers as well as one of the nation's largest rural populations. Each constituency has its own knowledge and wisdom to offer to the Commission's work. The map shown, a point-in-time review of where advisory committee members lived and worked, illustrates the Commission's commitment to include experiences from across the commonwealth.