The committee shall consider each of the following criteria in deciding whether to undertake a program evaluation and in considering how to prioritize requests for program evaluations:
(1) Urgency. The urgency of any particular issue, problem, or concern contained in the request and the potential harm to the public which might occur if the issue, problem, or concern is not addressed;
(2) Jurisdictional appropriateness. The committee may determine that an evaluation request would be more appropriately handled by some other agency, such as the Public Counsel, the Auditor of Public Accounts, the Governor, or a law enforcement agency;
(3) Universality of interest. The breadth and depth of legislative and public interest in the outcome of the program evaluation should be considered. Every effort should be made to avoid using program evaluation to pursue narrow, special, or partisan interests;
(4) Time constraints. If a program evaluation must be completed within a specified period of time to be meaningful, the committee shall consider whether available staff time and resources would allow for the completion of the program evaluation within the relevant timeframe. The committee may narrow the request so that it can be accomplished in a sufficiently timely manner to render the results useful; and
(5) Budgetary considerations. The committee shall consult with the unit director and the Director of Research of the Legislature in estimating the amount of any special costs, such as consultant fees, which might be incurred in conducting a particular program evaluation. The committee may develop other criteria to be used to screen requests for program evaluations. The committee shall consult with the unit director in the application of the screening criteria.