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1995 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 386
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the need for an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia requiring the General Assembly to authorize certain agreements between cities and counties that will provide for a special governing body for industrial parks.

Agreed to by the Senate, February 7, 1995
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 22, 1995

WHEREAS, intergovernmental cooperation rather than competition between cities and counties for industrial development is essential; and

WHEREAS, Virginia's unique system of independent cities and city-county separation often renders it difficult for these separate governments jointly to develop and administer projects such as industrial parks, where costs must be shared, resources pooled, and revenues allocated between jurisdictions; and

WHEREAS, a desirable alternative may be to allow the local governments involved to establish a separate, narrowly focused governing body to develop the park, exercise governmental powers, and carry out the necessary governmental functions in the land area of the park; and

WHEREAS, an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia may well be necessary in order to permit the General Assembly to authorize and provide by law for such a special governing body; and

WHEREAS, it is desirable to assess the impact upon the county and city governing bodies of authorizing special governing bodies for industrial parks before an amendment is proposed; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the necessity and desirability of amending the Constitution of Virginia to require that the General Assembly provide by general law for special governing bodies for industrial parks and other ventures if two or more counties and cities by agreement so desire. The joint subcommittee shall include in its examination procedures for adopting an agreement to establish such a special governing body, membership selection, powers and functions which the governing body would be authorized to exercise, and such other related issues as the joint subcommittee deems appropriate. The joint subcommittee shall also assess the impact upon the cities and counties involved of establishing a special governing body.

The joint subcommittee shall be composed of nine members as follows: three members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; two members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; one elected or appointed county official and one elected or appointed city official to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and one elected or appointed county official and one elected or appointed city official to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $4,600.

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

The joint subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its 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.