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2002 SESSION

023453560
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 35
Offered January 9, 2002
Prefiled December 28, 2001
Continuing the Virginia-North Carolina Interstate High-Speed Rail Commission.
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Patron-- Watkins
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, Senate Joint Resolution No. 396 established the Virginia-North Carolina Interstate High-Speed Rail Commission to determine the desirability and feasibility of establishing high-speed passenger rail service between Virginia and North Carolina, including connecting rail lines in Hampton Roads and, if it determines that such rail service is desirable and feasible, to consider and recommend to the Governor and General Assembly legislative action necessary to facilitate establishment of high-speed passenger rail service and connecting rail lines in Virginia, determine necessary levels of funding, and identify the sources of such funds; and

WHEREAS, SJR 396 contemplated the completion of the Commission's work in two years, with submission of a final report to the Governor and the 2003 Session of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, scheduling of meetings of the Commission in 2001 proved much more difficult than anticipated, owing both to the incompatibility of the dates of the sessions of the two legislatures, and also to complications caused by an exceptionally long and difficult session in North Carolina and the calling of a Special Session in Virginia for the purpose of redistricting; and

WHEREAS, after holding one joint meeting and discussing a possible work plan for the Commission, it appeared that expenses associated with the study might be somewhat higher than usual, owing in large measure to the need for considerable travel, some of it by air; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Virginia-North Carolina Interstate High-Speed Rail Commission be continued. The Virginia component of the Commission shall consist of 10 legislative members as follows: six members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; and 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.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $12,500 per year.

The Commission shall complete its work by November 30, 2004 and shall submit its written findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 2005 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.