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2000 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 121
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study creation of a Northern Virginia Regional Transportation Authority.

Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 2000
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2000

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 18 members, which shall include 10 legislative members and 8 citizen members as follows: four members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; six members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, in accordance with the principles of Rule 16 of the Rules of the House of Delegates; three local elected officials, who shall represent Fairfax County, Arlington County, and Loudoun County, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, upon the recommendation of the respective governing body of the locality; three local elected officials, who shall represent Stafford County, Prince William County, and the City of Alexandria, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, upon the recommendation of the respective governing body of the locality; and two residents of Northern Virginia, of whom one shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, and one of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates.

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 possible 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; and

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

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 direct costs of this study shall not exceed $12,450.

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.