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2014 SESSION


SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 32
Establishing a joint committee of the Senate Committee on Local Government and the Senate Committee on Transportation to study construction of proposed Interstate 73. Report.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 26, 2014
 

WHEREAS, there is a strong and direct connection between a vibrant economy and a sound transportation infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, for south-central Virginia, no element of the Commonwealth's transportation infrastructure is more important than roads; and

WHEREAS, construction of proposed Interstate 73 is among the most vital highway projects being planned for the region; and

WHEREAS, the citizens and businesses of south-central Virginia are eager to become involved with, support, and promote the expeditious construction of proposed Interstate 73; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, That a joint committee of the Senate Committee on Local Government and the Senate Committee on Transportation be established to study construction of proposed Interstate 73. The joint committee shall have a total membership of 11 members that shall consist of six legislative members and five nonlegislative citizen members. Members shall be appointed as follows: three members of the Senate Committee on Local Government to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules upon the recommendation of the Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Government; three members of the Senate Committee on Transportation to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules upon the recommendation of the Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation; and five nonlegislative citizen members to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, of whom two shall be business owners in the affected area, two shall be current or former officials of local governments in the affected area, and one shall be a citizen at large. The joint committee shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership, who shall be members of the Senate of Virginia.

In conducting its study, the joint committee shall provide an institutional and organizational link between the citizens and businesses of south-central Virginia, their legislative representatives in the Senate, and the Virginia Department of Transportation. The joint committee shall receive and disseminate communication between the Department and those most directly and greatly concerned with the speedy completion and success of the interstate construction project.

Administrative staff support shall be provided by the Office of the Clerk of the Senate. Legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the joint committee shall be provided by the Division of Legislative Services. Technical assistance shall be provided by the Department of Transportation. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint committee for this study, upon request. In its deliberations, the joint committee may provide for the participation of citizens, businesses, and officials from local governments that would be affected by the proposed Interstate 73.

The joint committee shall be limited to four meetings for the 2014 interim and four meetings for the 2015 interim, and the direct costs of this study shall not exceed $17,280 for each year without approval as set out in this resolution. Approval for unbudgeted nonmember-related expenses shall require the written authorization of the chairman of the joint committee and the Clerk of the Senate.

The joint committee shall complete its meetings for the first year by November 30, 2014, and for the second year by November 30, 2015, and the chairman of the joint committee 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 next Regular Session of the General Assembly for each year. Each executive summary shall state whether the joint committee intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a Senate document. The executive summaries and reports 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; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the General Assembly of North Carolina and the General Assembly of South Carolina in order that they may be apprised of the action of the Senate of Virginia in this matter, with the recommendation to appoint similar entities in their states to work cooperatively with the joint committee in promoting the construction of proposed Interstate 73.