Bill Text: VA SJR23 | 2015 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Interstate Route 73; joint subcommittee to study proposed construction.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-12-04 - Left in Rules [SJR23 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2015-SJR23-Prefiled.html
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14103100D WHEREAS, there is a strong and direct connection between a vibrant economy and a sound transportation infrastructure; and WHEREAS, for south-central Virginia, no element of the Commonwealth's transportation infrastructure is more important than highways; and WHEREAS, construction of proposed Interstate 73 is among the most vital highway projects being planned for the region; and WHEREAS, the citizens and businesses of south-central Virginia are eager to become involved with, support, and promote the expeditious construction of proposed Interstate 73; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study construction of proposed Interstate 73. The joint subcommittee shall consist of 14 members that include 10 legislative members and four nonlegislative citizen members. Members shall be appointed as follows: four members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules;six members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; two nonlegislative citizen members to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules upon consideration of the recommendation of the Commissioner of Highways, if any, and two nonlegislative citizen members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates upon consideration of the recommendation of the Commissioner of Highways, if any. Legislative members and nonlegislative citizen members shall be residents of the districts and localities potentially most affected by proposed Interstate 73. The joint subcommittee shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership, who shall be members of the General Assembly. In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall provide an institutional and organizational link between the citizens and businesses of south-central Virginia and their legislative representatives in the General Assembly and the Virginia Department of Transportation. The joint subcommittee shall receive and disseminate communication between the Department and those most directly and greatly concerned with the speedy completion and success of the interstate construction project. Administrative staff support shall be provided by the Office of the Clerk of the Senate. Legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the joint subcommittee shall be provided by the Division of Legislative Services. Technical assistance shall be provided by the Department of Transportation. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee for this study, upon request. The joint subcommittee shall be limited to four meetings for the 2014 interim and four meetings for the 2015 interim, and the direct costs of this study shall not exceed $23,600 for each year without approval as set out in this resolution. Approval for unbudgeted nonmember-related expenses shall require the written authorization of the chairman of the joint subcommittee and the respective Clerk. If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required. No recommendation of the joint subcommittee shall be adopted if a majority of the Senate members or a majority of the House members appointed to the joint subcommittee (i) vote against the recommendation and (ii) vote for the recommendation to fail notwithstanding the majority vote of the joint subcommittee. The joint subcommittee shall complete its meetings for the first year by November 30, 2014, and for the second year by November 30, 2015, 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 next Regular Session of the General Assembly for each year. Each executive summary shall state whether the joint subcommittee 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 summaries and reports 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. Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may approve or disapprove expenditures for this study, extend or delay the period for the conduct of the study, or authorize additional meetings during the 2014 or 2015 interim; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the General Assembly of North Carolina and the General Assembly of South Carolina in order that they may be apprised of the action of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter, with the invitation to appoint similar entities in their states to work cooperatively with the body created by this resolution in promoting the construction of proposed Interstate 73. |
