Bill Text: VA HJR97 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commonwealth's aerospace industry; Joint Commission on Technology and Science to study.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2016-03-10 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ97ER) [HJR97 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2016-HJR97-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, the Commonwealth is home to more than 265 aerospace firms due to a skilled workforce, strong economic growth, pro-business environment, and excellent quality of life; and WHEREAS, the Commonwealth's role in the aerospace industry dates from 1917, when the nation's first civil aeronautics laboratory, now known as the NASA Langley Research Center, was established in Hampton; and WHEREAS, the aerospace industry is a driving force of the Commonwealth's economy, supplying jobs to 30,500 workers; and WHEREAS, the Aerospace Advisory Council has recommended that a multi-faceted study of factors affecting the Commonwealth's aerospace industry be conducted to identify ways to encourage growth in the industry, attract new businesses, and improve the Commonwealth's economy; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Commission on Technology and Science be directed to study aspects of the Commonwealth's aerospace industry. In conducting its study, the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) shall (i) identify strategies to grow Denbigh High School's Aviation Academy and encourage its transformation into a statewide program, to be named the Virginia Aviation Academy; (ii) research and identify federally funded research and development activities in the Commonwealth and recommend strategies to create additional opportunities for such activities; (iii) collect information regarding practices and efforts used successfully in other states to grow their aerospace industries; (iv) analyze the potential advantages and disadvantages of eliminating taxation on aerospace and aviation parts and labor; (v) gather information regarding opportunities in the Commonwealth related to maintenance and rehabilitation of aerospace equipment; (vi) explore any other topics related to growing the Commonwealth's aerospace industry; (vii) request the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (the Partnership) to develop a report recommending economic development strategies related to growing the Commonwealth's aerospace industry, attracting new businesses, and improving the Commonwealth's economy; and (viii) consult with representatives of all relevant stakeholders, including but not limited to public and private institutions of higher education; the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine; the NASA Langley Research Center; the NASA Wallops Flight Facility; and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. Based upon its study, JCOTS shall develop a final report, including any report submitted to JCOTS by the Partnership pursuant to clause (vii), entitled "A Blueprint for the Growth of the Virginia Aviation and Aerospace Industry." Technical assistance shall be provided to JCOTS by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Commission on Technology and Science for this study, upon request. The Joint Commission on Technology and Science shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2016, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2017 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether JCOTS intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website. |
