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2010 SESSION

10101382D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 61
Offered January 13, 2010
Prefiled January 11, 2010
Establishing the Commission on Virginia's Transportation Needs. Report.
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Patron-- Plum
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, a comprehensive transportation network is essential to continued economic growth and prosperity in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, it has long been the goal of the General Assembly that transportation needs be assessed objectively and scientifically, both for the present and into the future; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to confirm the critical highway and transportation needs of the Commonwealth, and explore alternative means of financing transportation; and

WHEREAS, the improvement of the state's transportation infrastructure is dependent upon sustainable sources of revenue and the strengthening of jurisdictional and agency cooperation; and

WHEREAS, new funding authorities and mechanisms, such as state and regional bonds, lines of credit, public-private partnerships, and private facilities, have made significant transportation improvements possible in the last decade and provide models to develop additional nontraditional funding mechanisms; and

WHEREAS, in addition to new construction needs, bridge rehabilitation and replacement, pavement repair, and transit capital equipment purchase and replacement must be assessed; and

WHEREAS, it is essential that Virginia have a comprehensive transportation system with excellent highways, public transportation, passenger and freight rail, airports, and ports; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That there is hereby established the Commission on Virginia's Transportation Needs. The Commission shall have a total membership of 21 members that shall consist of former Governors Gerald L. Baliles and George Allen, 10 legislative members, four members at large, and five ex officio members. Members shall be appointed as follows: six members of the House of Delegates, three shall be the chairs of the House Appropriations, Finance, and Transportation Committees, and three shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; four members of the Senate, two shall be the chairs of the Senate Finance and Transportation Committees, and two shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; and four members at large to be appointed by the Governor, two representing the transportation-related business community and two local government officials. Former Governors Baliles and Allen shall serve as co-chairs of the Commission. The Secretary of Transportation, the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation, the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, the Director of the Department of Aviation, and the Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority shall serve as ex officio, nonvoting members. Members shall be appointed by March 15, 2010.

The Commission shall (i) review and update the findings of the Commission on Transportation for the Twenty-First Century and later efforts undertaken to assess the needs of all modes of transportation in the Commonwealth including: the work of the Select Committee Studying the Transportation Trust Fund under Senate Joint Resolution No. 240 (1993) and Senate Joint Resolution No. 143 (1994), the Commission on the Future of Transportation in Virginia under House Joint Resolution No. 160 (1996), and VTrans 2025; (ii) identify those major transportation system construction projects whose construction will be required over the next 10 years and the needs of public transportation; (iii) determine the amount of additional transportation revenue to be required over that period to cover these costs; (iv) study alternatives for planning and financing the comprehensive transportation system Virginia will need over the next decade; and (v) study existing transportation agencies and authorities and the need to create, restructure, and combine agencies and authorities for Virginia.

The staffs of the House Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Committee on Finance, and the Division of Legislative Services shall provide support for the study. The Secretary of Transportation, with the assistance of agencies under his direction, shall provide such technical assistance as the Commission may require. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission, upon request.

The Commission shall complete its work in time to report its findings and recommendations by September 25, 2010, to the Governor and the 2011 Session of the General Assembly. The 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. The direct costs of the Commission's work shall not exceed $13,600 without approval as set out in this resolution. Approval for unbudgeted nonmember-related expenses shall require the written authorization of the co-chairs of the Commission and the respective Clerk. If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required.

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.