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2003 SESSION

034097896
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 584
Offered January 8, 2003
Prefiled January 3, 2003
Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, with the assistance of the Attorney General, to study the appropriateness and feasibility of creating public-private partnerships for funding studies that benefit the Commonwealth. Report.
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Patrons-- Purkey and Rapp
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the General Assembly recognizes that a revenue shortfall approaching $1.1 billion and a combined budget deficit of approximately $1.5 billion must be addressed at the 2003 Session of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, in light of this budget crisis, the operating budgets of many of the Commonwealth's agencies and institutions have been reduced by as much as 15 percent and other reductions are expected in the future; and

WHEREAS, reduced workforce and other resources will have a detrimental impact on the ability of state agencies to conduct studies during the 2003 interim and thereafter; and

WHEREAS, several study groups have recently partnered with the private sector to provide additional funding or staff support, including the Commission on Reform of Educational Leadership and the Governor's Commission on Efficiency and Effectiveness; and

WHEREAS, the development and implementation of a public-private funding process could ensure continuity in the examination of issues and formulation of recommendations to address the critical needs of the citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, with the assistance of the Attorney General, be directed to study the appropriateness and feasibility of creating public-private partnerships for funding studies that benefit the Commonwealth.

In conducting its study, the Commission shall examine (i) public-private study partnerships in other states; (ii) the feasibility and appropriateness of implementing any such partnerships in the Commonwealth on a pilot project basis; and (iii) constitutional, financial and policy issues regarding the creation of hybrid public-private studies. The Commission shall develop criteria for determining what studies should receive public-private funding and a process and criteria for soliciting, accepting and distributing private funds.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission for this study, upon request.

The Commission shall be limited to 4 meetings for this study during the 2003 interim, and the direct costs of this study shall not exceed $14,000 without approval as set out in this resolution. Approval for unbudgeted nonmember-related expenses shall require the written authorization of the Chairman.

The Commission shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2003, and the Chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2004 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Commission intends to submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may approve or disapprove expenditures for this study, extend or delay the period for the conduct of the study, or authorize additional meetings during the 2003 interim.