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2001 SESSION

017968756
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 671
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Rules
on February 19, 2001)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Hall)
Establishing the Commission on Growth and Economic Development.

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth's healthy and productive economy has resulted in rapid growth in many areas of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, growth has helped fuel the creation of jobs and wealth in such areas; and

WHEREAS, rapid growth also impacts many other issues such as housing availability, transportation, education, public utilities, public safety, human services, and loss of agricultural resources and open space; and

WHEREAS, patterns of business and residential development have changed over time and will undoubtedly continue to change in this age of rapid technological advancements; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth and its localities are challenged to develop strategies to promote sensible growth, reduce congestion, preserve open space, provide infrastructure in a timely manner as needed, and assure Virginians that they have the ability to work, live, and play in a healthy environment; and

WHEREAS, the complexity of the many issues related to the Commonwealth's growth and economic development can not be adequately addressed in a piecemeal legislative fashion, but rather demand a comprehensive, deliberate approach involving both state and local elected officials; and

WHEREAS, such a comprehensive, deliberate approach may also benefit from the use of professional facilitation as a method to resolve issues arising from growth and economic development; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a commission be established to study growth and economic development. The Commission shall consist of nine members, which shall include seven legislative members and two nonlegislative members as follows: four members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; three members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; one citizen member appointed by the Speaker of the House; and one citizen member appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections. Persons interested in the study may make recommendations to the Speaker of the House and the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections regarding citizen appointments.

In conducting its study, the commission shall encourage the participation of all interested groups, organizations and individuals, including those associated with business interests, the development community, and environmental causes. In examining issues related to growth and economic development, the commission shall exclusively examine:

1. The adequacy of current revenue resources to meet existing and future infrastructure needs. During the course of this examination, the commission should consider the recommendations of the Commission on Virginia's State and Local Tax Structure for the 21st Century;

2. The revitalization of inner-city areas and older suburbs in order to make more efficient use of existing infrastructure and improve the quality of life for many Virginians;

3. The development of abandoned or unused sites (brownfields) in order to enhance the economic vitality of communities in which they are located; and

4. The appropriate means of preserving both open space and individual property rights as well as broad-based funding mechanisms for accomplishing preservation goals.

The Commission may also utilize the services of a professional facilitation service during the course of its work.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $9,750.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. The Department of Housing and Community Development shall provide technical support for the study.

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

The commission shall complete its work in time to submit its written findings and recommendations by November 30, 2001, to the Governor and the 2002 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.