SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2006 SESSION


CHAPTER 662
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 30-28.16 and 30-34.14 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the duties of certain agencies within the legislative branch of government.
[H 886]
Approved April 5, 2006

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That §§ 30-28.16 and 30-34.14 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 30-28.16. Duties of Division and of Director.

A. The Division shall:

1. Establish a reference library which develops and maintains a library collection to support the work of the Division and the General Assembly and which provides general and specific reference services to members of the General Assembly;

2. Keep on file copies of all bills, resolutions, amendments thereto, reports of committees and other documents printed by order of either house of the General Assembly;

3. Accumulate data and statistics regarding the practical operation and effect of statutes of this and other states;

4. Carry out such research projects as shall be assigned to it by the Committees on Rules of the House of Delegates and the Senate;

5. Furnish upon written request of any person a copy of any charter of a city or town of the Commonwealth at the charge prevailing from time to time for reproducing same; and

6. Carry out research and obtain and analyze information for members of the General Assembly and its committees; and

7. Prepare and publish annually, as soon as practicable after January 1, a listing of designated spokespersons or information officers for each department, agency, board, or commission of state government, as shall be designated by the head thereof. Such officers or designated alternatives shall (i) serve as legislative liaison between any such department, agency, board, or commission and the General Assembly, (ii) act as the official spokespersons representing such department, agency, board, or commission, and (iii) be at all times available to assist members of the General Assembly in seeking solutions to problems of citizens of the Commonwealth.

B. Upon the request of the Governor, any member of the General Assembly, any Governor's Secretary, or the head of any legislative, judicial or independent agency, the Division shall:

1. Draft or aid in drafting legislative bills or resolutions and amendments thereto;

2. Advise as to the constitutionality or probable legal effect of proposed legislation;

3. Prepare summaries of existing laws affected by proposed legislation, compilations of laws in other states or countries relating to the subject matter of such legislation, and statements of the operation and effect of such laws; or

4. Make researches and examinations as to any subject of proposed legislation.

C. The Director shall perform such other duties as may be required of him by the Committees on Rules of the House of Delegates and the Senate.

§ 30-34.14. Duties of Division.

The Division shall have the following duties:

1. Operate an automated data processing center and perform computing and programming services for the House of Delegates, Senate of Virginia, and the Division of Legislative Services.

2. To provide technical assistance to the General Assembly of Virginia, and to the agencies which directly serve the General Assembly of Virginia.

3. To represent the interests of the General Assembly in activities involving, obtaining and maintaining data processing services, electronic components, and other related items.

4. Prepare and publish annually, as soon as practicable after January 1, a listing of designated spokespersons or information officers for each department, agency, board, or commission of state government, as shall be designated by the head thereof. Such officers or designated alternates shall (i) serve as legislative liaison between any such department, agency, board, or commission and the General Assembly, (ii) act as the official spokesperson representing such department, agency, board, or commission, and (iii) be at all times available to assist members of the General Assembly in seeking solutions to problems of citizens of the Commonwealth.

4. 5. To perform other duties as directed by the Committees on Rules of the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia acting jointly.

Every document or file maintained or stored on equipment of the Division shall be considered the property of the person for whom the document or file is maintained or stored. Neither the Director nor any employee of the Division shall reveal any of this property to any person outside of the Division, except with the consent of the owner of the property.