What characterizes a special committee?

A special committee is specifically organized to address a particular issue or task within an organization. This type of committee is formed to focus on a specific objective or project that requires dedicated attention, often for a finite period. Once the committee has completed its purpose or achieved its goal, it is typically disbanded.

The other aspects in the options are less aligned with the essence of a special committee. For instance, a committee that meets biannually may not be specialized in its function but rather determined by a schedule, and the notion of lasting indefinitely is more characteristic of standing committees, which are established for ongoing tasks. Similarly, a committee focused on general issues lacks the specific orientation that defines a special committee. Thus, the defining trait of being organized around a specific purpose accurately captures what a special committee embodies.