The committee on ways and means of the senate and the committee on appropriations of the house of representatives of the legislature of the state of Kansas shall be continuing committees of the legislature during the terms for which the members are appointed and shall hold meetings as may be necessary until the convening of the next regular session of the legislature. In the event of a vacancy on the senate committee on ways and means, a successor shall be appointed as members of senate committees are appointed, and in the event of a vacancy on the house committee on appropriations the speaker of the house shall appoint a successor.

At any time following the adjournment of the legislature in each odd-numbered year and until the convening of the ensuing session of the legislature in even-numbered years each such committee or subcommittees thereof may, on call of the chairperson, meet and visit the various institutions for the purpose of acquiring information concerning the conditions, needs, and requirements of such institutions.

Any member of such committees or subcommittees attending a meeting authorized by this section, shall receive compensation and travel expenses and subsistence expenses or allowances as provided in Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 75-3212 and amendments thereto.

All vouchers of any member of each committee and all expense vouchers shall be approved by the chairperson or vice-chairperson thereof. Compensation, allowances and expenses authorized under this section shall be paid from funds specifically appropriated for such purpose or, in the absence of such specific appropriation, from funds appropriated for legislative expense.