(a) In the construction of a statute creating, continuing, or modifying a commission or committee whose funds are appropriated or transferred to the General Assembly or to the Legislative Services Commission for disbursement, unless that construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the General Assembly or repugnant to the context of the statute, the creation, continuation, or modification of the commission or committee shall not be construed as a grant of authority to the commission or committee to apply for, receive or accept grants, loans, and advances of non-State funds, or to receive and accept contributions from any source, of money, property, labor, or any other thing of value in order for it to conduct its work.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a commission or committee whose funds are appropriated or transferred to the General Assembly or to the Legislative Services Commission for disbursement may, only with specific approval of the Legislative Services Commission, apply for, receive, or accept grants and contributions, from any source, of money, property, labor, or any other thing of value, to be held and used for the purposes set forth in the act creating the commission or committee. Any thing of value remaining at the termination of the commission or committee shall be deposited with the Legislative Services Commission to be employed for the use of the General Assembly. (1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1100, s. 9.1.)