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1997 SESSION

970829408
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 498
Offered January 16, 1997
Continuing the joint subcommittee studying science and technology pursuant to House Joint Resolution No. 195 (1996).
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Patrons-- Plum, Bennett, Diamonstein and Scott; Senators: Newman, Stosch and Ticer
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, House Joint Resolution No. 390 (1993) established a 23-member Science and Technology Task Force to report on the status of the recommendations of the 1983 Governor's Task Force on Science and Technology, to coordinate the development of a statewide strategic plan for science and technology, and to examine whether a permanent council on science and technology should be created; and

WHEREAS, House Joint Resolution No. 447 (1995) continued the task force for an additional year and expanded its initial mission to include consideration of recent and ongoing initiatives and recommendations of other organizations and task forces that were focusing on science and technology issues in the Commonwealth and to study opportunities and incentives for information and communications technology to meet public needs; and

WHEREAS, the task force's final report was published as House Document No. 46 (1996); and

WHEREAS, House Joint Resolution No. 195 (1996) established a Joint Subcommittee on Science and Technology comprised of eight legislators and five ex officio members to continue and expand the work of the task force and enumerated nine study objectives related to science and technology; and

WHEREAS, the joint subcommittee was assisted in its work by nearly 100 persons with expertise in the matters under consideration by the joint subcommittee who served without compensation on seven technical advisory committees; and

WHEREAS, legislative members of the joint subcommittee served as liaisons to each technical advisory committee and primary staff was assigned from among the Commonwealth's agencies and institutions most closely associated with particular issues; and

WHEREAS, the joint subcommittee has determined that further study is needed; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the joint subcommittee established to study science and technology pursuant to House Joint Resolution No. 195 (1996) be continued for an additional year of study. The joint subcommittee shall:

1. Assist with studies to be conducted by the State Corporation Commission, the Library of Virginia, and the Center for Innovative Technology and the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia on, respectively, certain issues related to the Commonwealth's telecommunications system, the development of a five-year strategic information technology plan for the Commonwealth's public library system, and the most effective and efficient means of developing a technology-literate workforce in the Commonwealth;

2. Monitor the study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) of the Commonwealth's data processing and related services as directed by Item 14 of the 1996-98 Appropriation Act; and

3. Work with representatives of the practicing bar, the technology industry, academics, and other legal experts to: (i) examine and formulate the public policy of the Commonwealth as it affects technological commerce and the impact of technological advances on the criminal and civil justice systems; (ii) monitor the work being done on the federal level and in other states, in particular as those activities address regulation of Internet use and access, development of new criminal offenses, use of existing technology to create savings, and efficient use of judicial resources; (iii) identify areas where the civil and criminal procedural and substantive law has not kept pace with technology; and (iv) make recommendations for statutory changes which reflect the public policy of the Commonwealth and ensure the continued integrity, efficiency, and fairness of Virginia's legal system.

The membership of the subcommittee shall continue as established by House Joint Resolution No. 195 (1996). Vacancies shall be filled by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, as appropriate. The subcommittee may establish technical advisory committees as provided for in House Joint Resolution No. 195 (1996).

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $7,000. An additional $1,000 shall be allocated for materials and resources, which shall be funded from the operational budget of the Clerk of the House of Delegates.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. Additional assistance shall be provided by the Center for Innovative Technology, Council on Information Management, Department of Education, Department of Information Technology, Office of the Attorney General, State Corporation Commission, State Council of Higher Education in Virginia, Supreme Court of Virginia, relevant committees of the Virginia State Bar, and the staffs of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.

The joint subcommittee 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.