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2000 SESSION

005685400
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 121
Offered January 20, 2000
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study creation of a Northern Virginia Regional Transportation Authority.
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Patrons-- Barry, Byrne, Colgan, Howell, Marsh, Mims, Puller, Saslaw, Schrock, Ticer, Watkins and Williams; Delegates: Abbitt, Dillard, McClure, McQuigg, Moran, Plum, Scott, Spruill and Watts
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, a transportation infrastructure that contributes to the regional economic development and quality of life must be capable of moving people and goods at a reasonable cost, in a reasonable period of time, and at an appropriate level of safety; and

WHEREAS, the northern Virginia regional transportation infrastructure is inadequate for the region's economic development and quality of life; and

WHEREAS, the improvement of the region's transportation infrastructure is hampered by political, jurisdictional, and funding gridlock; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study creation of a Northern Virginia Regional Transportation Authority. The joint subcommittee shall be composed of 15 members, which shall include legislative members and nonlegislative citizens and ex officio members as follows: three members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; four members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker; one representative of Fairfax County, appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; one representative of Arlington County, appointed by the Arlington County Board of Supervisors; one representative of Loudoun County, appointed by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors; one representative of Stafford County, appointed by the Stafford County Board of Supervisors; one representative of Prince William County, appointed by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors; one representative of the City of Alexandria, appointed by the Alexandria City Council; and two residents of Northern Virginia, appointed by the Governor.

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall determine the purpose, needs, benefits, authority, composition, responsibility, and funding of a Northern Virginia Regional Transportation Authority. Among the powers and responsibilities of the Northern Virginia Regional Transportation Authority to be considered shall be:

1. The identification of needs and solutions;

2. The privatization of solutions;

3. The acceptance, raising, and disbursement of funds;

4. The ability to sell bonds;

5. The ability to buy, sell, hold, lease, and condemn property;

6. The design, construction, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure or ability to cause the design, construction, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure.

7. The funding of transportation infrastructure through direct, indirect, and/or referendum means not limited to: gasoline tax, income tax, tolls, public/private partnership, tax districts, privatization, development fees, and local, state, and federal funding.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $9,250.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.

Transportation infrastructure solutions for the movement of people and goods shall consist of all means and modes of transportation. The study shall consider the appropriate relationship of the Northern Virginia Regional Transportation Authority to the Commonwealth of Virginia and its agencies, Maryland and its agencies, the District of Columbia and its agencies, the federal government and its agencies, and other public regional entities and authorities.

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.