Said committee shall function during the periods when the General Assembly is not in session as well as during any session and shall be responsible for the business and fiscal affairs of the General Assembly including the coordination and management of legislative affairs and the supervision and approval of any and all legislative expenditures from all appropriations to the General Assembly, legislative commissions and legislative interim committees. Notwithstanding any act or resolution to the contrary, it shall review and approve the budgetary requests of such commissions, committees and agencies of the Legislative Department and shall establish personnel policies, guidelines and regulations and salary schedules for the employees of such commissions, committees and agencies of the Legislative Department. It shall coordinate the work of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly during the session and of such commissions and committees which function during the interim. The Joint Committee on Legislative Management shall assess ways and means to improve the legislative operation and shall make improvements in the legislative organization, procedures, facilities and working conditions and may from time to time make such reports to the regular session of the General Assembly of its operations and activities. Such committee may employ personnel and research staffs, clerical assistance and other personnel it may require for the discharge of its duties.