§ 30. Duties of finance and ways and means committees and secretaries. The committees and their secretaries shall have access at all reasonable times to offices of state departments, commissions, boards, bureaus and offices, to institutions and to all state authorities and public works of the state and they may, for the purpose of obtaining information as to the method of operation, general condition, management and needs thereof, examine the books, papers and public records therein. Notwithstanding any other provision of law such state departments, commissions, boards, bureaus, offices, state authorities and institutions shall through their proper officers or deputies furnish to such committees such data, information or statements as may be necessary for the proper exercise of their powers and duties and for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this article. The finance and ways and means committee in exercising the powers and performing the duties prescribed by this article may act jointly, or separately, as they deem advisable.