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2016 SESSION

16102395D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 70
Offered January 13, 2016
Prefiled January 6, 2016
Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the feasibility of establishing a public-private partnership for the construction and operation of new state parks and the management of existing state parks. Report.
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Patron-- Poindexter
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the Department of Conservation and Recreation currently operates 36 parks, which contain thousands of campsites and hundreds of cabins, include more than 500 miles of trails, and provide convenient access to Virginia's major waterways; and

WHEREAS, under current law, the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation is authorized to make and execute leases and contracts in the name of the Commonwealth for the development and operation of revenue-producing capital improvement projects in Virginia state parks; and

WHEREAS, through such leases and contracts, private entities have provided additional amenities to park visitors in the form of restaurants and gift shops; and

WHEREAS, as new parks are developed as a result of bond issues authorized by the General Assembly, there may be additional opportunities to increase the offerings, maximize savings, and generate additional income at our state parks; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission be directed to study the feasibility of establishing a public-private partnership for the construction and operation of new state parks and the management of existing state parks.

In conducting its study, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) shall consider whether a public-private partnership would (i) result in greater operational efficiencies in the planning, development, construction, and operation of new state parks and in the management of existing state parks and (ii) generate additional cost savings and increase operational revenues.

Technical assistance shall be provided to JLARC by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to JLARC for this study, upon request.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2016, 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 2017 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate 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.