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1997 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 388
Continuing the High-Speed Rail System Commission.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 31, 1997
Agreed to by the Senate, February 19, 1997

WHEREAS, the 1996 Session of the General Assembly, through the passage of House Joint Resolution No. 252, created the High-Speed Rail System Commission to make recommendations necessary to assure the presence of a high-speed rail system in Virginia, including an overall plan and financing alternatives; and

WHEREAS, the Commission was charged to complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1997 Session of the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, while the Commission has assimilated a large amount of information, much of the data required to address the questions proposed by HJR No. 252 is still being developed; and

WHEREAS, the completion of the national high-speed rail policy has been delayed; and

WHEREAS, studies involving certain corridors such as the Richmond to Newport News and Richmond to Charlotte, North Carolina, and an additional study on the Richmond to Washington, D.C., are expected to be completed in 1997; and

WHEREAS, the issues involving the public and private roles, organization, funding, and timetables are very complex; and

WHEREAS, the Commission does not include a member representing the CSX Corporation, the owner of a major portion of the tracks affected; and

WHEREAS, although the Commission has found broad support for high-speed rail service, the Commission has not had sufficient time for a complete review and formulation of final recommendations to the Governor and the 1997 Session of the General Assembly; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the High-Speed Rail System Commission be continued as presently constituted, except that a representative of the CSX Corporation, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, be added as a member of the Commission, with any vacancies being filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

The Commission may elect any of its members to serve as Chairman or Vice-Chairman.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $6,750.

The Commission shall complete its work in time to submit its 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 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.