SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

1995 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 431
Continuing the Joint Subcommittee Studying Alternative Strategies for Assisting Tobacco Farmers.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 23, 1995
Agreed to by the Senate, February 21, 1995

WHEREAS, during the past year, the Joint Subcommittee Studying Alternative Strategies for Assisting Tobacco Farmers received testimony from individuals representing the various sectors of the tobacco industry including growers, tobacco warehouses, processors, researchers and lending institutions; and

WHEREAS, these individuals described domestic and international trends in the production, manufacture and sale of Virginia's flue-cured, burley, sun-dried, and fire-cured tobacco; and

WHEREAS, the increased competitiveness of other tobacco-producing countries combined with domestic health concerns will affect the stability of Virginia's tobacco markets; and

WHEREAS, testimony received by the joint subcommittee documented the significant contribution that tobacco makes to Virginia's economy, especially in the tobacco-growing regions of south central and southwest Virginia; and

WHEREAS, several tobacco-producing states and a number of private organizations have begun to examine ways to supplement tobacco farmers' on-and-off farm income; and

WHEREAS, the joint subcommittee can play a role not only in coordinating these efforts, but also in providing a forum for the discussion and development of policies promoting Virginia's tobacco farmers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Subcommittee Studying Alternative Strategies for Assisting Tobacco Farmers be continued. The membership of the joint subcommittee shall continue as originally constituted. Any vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $4,500.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall be continued for one year only and shall complete its work in time to submit its final findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1996 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

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.