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1996 SESSION

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963509833
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 106 Offered January 22, 1996 Requesting the Joint Rules Committee of the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia to study the processes and procedures of the General Assembly relative to the introduction of legislation and identify improvements that will strengthen its operations. ---------- Patron-- Cranwell ---------- Referred to Committee on Rules ----------

WHEREAS, a Commission on Legislative Process was established in the early 1970's to examine legislative facilities, staffing, technology, and legislative procedures; and

WHEREAS, the study recommendations guided Virginia's legislative process into the 21st century, through, among other initiatives, the development of its first electronic bill drafting system, the acquisition of ample facilities for legislative activities, and designation of permanent staff for the standing committees of the House of Delegates and Senate; and

WHEREAS, since the 1970's and especially since 1990, the workload of the General Assembly has grown in magnitude, scope and complexity; and

WHEREAS, the procedural resolution governing the scheduling and activities of the General Assembly has gone largely unchanged for the past twenty years; and

WHEREAS, the Joint Rules Committee commenced a study of certain aspects of the legislative process and reconvened sessions in 1991, but did not complete its study or file a final report; and

WHEREAS, new statutory requirements have been added directing the identification and preparation of fiscal impacts on certain bills affecting local governments and correctional facilities, and it is timely to review those provisions to determine whether they are serving the purposes intended; and

WHEREAS, a comprehensive review of the processes and procedures governing the activities of the General Assembly would yield valuable information that could streamline operations and allow the General Assembly to continue to prosper as a citizen institution; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Rules Committee of the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia be requested to study the processes and procedures governing the activities of the General Assembly and to identify improvements that will strengthen its operations. The Division of Legislative Services shall provide such technical assistance as the Committee may deem appropriate.

The Committee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1997 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for processing legislative documents.