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2000 SESSION

005849660
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 73
Offered January 18, 2000
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the most effective methods of financing the preservation of Civil War battlefields and open space lands.
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Patrons-- Callahan, Albo, Almand, Amundson, Black, Brink, Darner, Devolites, Hull, Marshall, McClure, McQuigg, Moran, Parrish, Plum, Rust, Scott, Van Landingham and Watts; Senators: Byrne, Colgan, Howell, Puller, Ticer and Whipple
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, tourism is one of the major industries driving Virginia's economy; and

WHEREAS, Virginia has more Civil War battlefield sites than any other state in the nation, and there is increasing interest nationwide in visiting these sites; and

WHEREAS, there is increasing support from both private nonprofit organizations and local and federal governments to preserve historic battlefields and open space; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to plan for and establish a long-range financial program and elicit voluntary cooperation and support from interested groups within and outside Virginia, if the Commonwealth is to be successful in its preservation efforts; and

WHEREAS, the Governor has indicated his support for initiatives to preserve historic Civil War battlefield sites and open space; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the most effective methods of financing the preservation of Civil War battlefields and open space lands. The joint subcommittee shall be composed of nine members, which shall include six legislative members and three nonlegislative citizens as follows: four members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker; two members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; one citizen representing a nonprofit preservation group and one citizen representing local government to be appointed by the Speaker; and one citizen representing a nonprofit preservation group to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall examine the merits of issuing general obligation bonds by the Commonwealth as a means of:

1. Increasing tourism in Virginia;

2. Encouraging donations and sales of Civil War battlefields and open space lands through tax savings and other financial inducements to farmers and other landowners;

3. Promoting Virginia's farm economy by making it easier for farmers to maintain their land in agricultural use; and

4. Easing the cost to the Commonwealth by spreading the expense through paying sellers with tax exempt Virginia bonds with staggered maturities.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $ 7,200.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 2001 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.