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1996 SESSION

960905152
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 101
Offered January 22, 1996
Continuing the A. L. Philpott Southside Economic Development Commission.
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Patrons-- Clement, Abbitt, Armstrong, Bennett, Councill, Crouch, Dudley, Ingram, Reynolds and Ruff; Senators: Goode, Hawkins, Holland and Lucas
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the General Assembly, pursuant to House Joint Resolution No. 106 (1990), established a commission to propose recommendations to improve and enhance the economic development of Southside Virginia (the "A. L. Philpott Southside Economic Development Commission" or the "Commission"); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to House Joint Resolution No. 300 (1991), House Joint Resolution No. 71 (1992), House Joint Resolution No. 412 (1993), House Joint Resolution No. 353 (1994), and House Joint Resolution No. 451 (1995), the General Assembly subsequently authorized the Commission to continue its examination of economic, educational, financial, infrastructural, and industrial challenges facing the region; and

WHEREAS, over the past six years, the Commission's study has yielded numerous recommendations for the revitalization of the Southside region, such as the establishment of the Southside Business and Education Commission, the Southside Virginia Marketing Council, and the Southside Virginia Development Authority, as well as supporting the new Governor's School for Global Economics and Technology in Southside Virginia and the A. L. Philpott Manufacturing Research Center at Patrick Henry Community College; and

WHEREAS, the 1994 Appropriation Act allocated $675,000 to the Philpott Commission for grants for economic development projects in the 20-county, five-city region of Southside Virginia; and

WHEREAS, addressing Southside Virginia's immediate and long-term development needs requires not only the enduring commitment and entrepreneurial spirit of its leaders, citizens, and industries, but also the continued support and review of the implementation of the Commission's recommendations and grants initiative; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the A. L. Philpott Southside Economic Development Commission be continued for two additional years, to implement its previous recommendations, its grants initiative, the activities of the Southside Virginia Business and Education Commission, the Southside Virginia Marketing Council, and the Southside Virginia Development Authority, and to consider such other relevant regional economic development issues as it deems appropriate.

The Commission shall consist of twenty-three members as follows: seven members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; four members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; and twelve members of the Southside region of the Commonwealth, to be chosen as follows: six members, comprised of two representatives from local governments, two from the business and industrial communities, and two local economic development officials, three of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker and three of whom shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; and six citizen members, three of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker and shall include a representative of a major utility and of a four-year institution of higher education, and three of whom shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, and shall include one representative of a community college and of the banking community. Any vacancies shall be filled by the Speaker of the House or the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, as appropriate.

The legislative members of the Commission shall be compensated as specified in § 14.1-18 of the Code of Virginia, and all members of the Commission shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred in the performance of the work of the Commission. The Commission may accept and expend gifts, grants, or donations from public or private sources that will enable it to meet its objectives.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $4,950.

The University of Virginia Center for Public Service shall provide staff support for the study. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission, upon request.

The Commission shall submit any additional findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1998 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for processing 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.