The Merit Commissioner, an independent statutory officer of the Legislature appointed under the authority of the Public Service Act, is responsible for monitoring the application of the merit principle to public service appointments. The Merit Commissioner has two primary duties under the Act. The first is to conduct random audits to ensure that public service appointment processes are merit-based and that individuals appointed are properly qualified for the positions to which they were appointed. Secondly, and equally important, the Merit Commissioner is required to review the application of merit to specific appointment decisions as the third and final step in bargaining unit staffing review processes. The Report covers the work of the Committee from November 22, 2005 to May 17, 2006. It includes the composition of the Committee, the selection process, criteria, applications and recommendations.