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1995 SESSION


CHAPTER 735
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 9 a chapter numbered 43, consisting of sections numbered 9-334 through 9-337, relating to establishing the Small Business Commission.
[H 1759]
Approved April 6, 1995

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 9 a chapter numbered 43, consisting of sections numbered 9-334 through 9-337, as follows:

CHAPTER 43.
SMALL BUSINESS COMMISSION.

§ 9-334. Small Business Commission established; purpose.

The Small Business Commission is hereby established as a legislative agency of the Commonwealth and is hereafter referred to in this chapter as the "Commission." The purpose of the Commission shall be, through the exercise of its powers and performance of its duties set forth in this chapter, to study, report and make recommendations on issues of concern to small businesses in the Commonwealth.

§ 9-335. Membership; terms; vacancies; chairman and vice chairman; compensation.

A. The Commission shall consist of 14 members as follows: six members from the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; four members from the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; and four members from the Commonwealth at large, each of whom shall have previously demonstrated small business experience or expertise, to be appointed by the Governor.

B. All appointments to the Commission shall be for terms of four years. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term. Whenever any legislative member fails to retain his membership in the house from which he was appointed, he shall relinquish his membership on the Commission and the appointing authority who appointed such member shall make an appointment from his respective house to complete the term. Any member may be reappointed for successive terms.

C. The members of the Commission shall elect a chairman and a vice chairman annually.

D. Legislative members of the Commission shall receive such compensation as is set forth in § 14.1-18 and all members shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties in the work of the Commission.

§ 9-336. Powers and duties of the Commission.

The Commission shall have the power and duty to:

1. Evaluate the impact of existing statutes and proposed legislation on small businesses.

2. Assess the Commonwealth's small business assistance programs and examine ways to enhance their effectiveness.

3. Provide small business owners and advocates with a forum to address their concerns.

4. Report annually its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly.

§ 9-337. Staff; cooperation from other state agencies.

The Division of Legislative Services shall serve as staff to the Commission. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall assist the Commission upon request.