Section 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.