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1997 SESSION

973618352
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 621
Offered January 20, 1997
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the advantages of regional cooperation in Hampton Roads.
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Patrons-- Melvin, Behm, Christian, Crittenden, Forbes, Grayson, Hamilton, Heilig, Moore, Nelms, Purkey, Tata, Wagner and Wardrup; Senators: Holland, Maxwell, Schrock and Walker
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Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
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WHEREAS, Hampton Roads is a diverse and dynamic region consisting of fifteen localities; and

WHEREAS, this growing region places many demands on governmental services in areas such as transportation and water and sewer facilities; and

WHEREAS, many governmental services in the region are currently provided in a duplicative and inefficient manner; and

WHEREAS, Hampton Roads may benefit from a more cost-effective delivery of certain governmental services on a regional basis; and

WHEREAS, the region is currently demonstrating the potential advantages of regional cooperation in pursuing an agreement for the construction of a $ 143 million arena in order to attract a National Hockey League team to Hampton Roads; and

WHEREAS, Hampton Roads may benefit tremendously from regional cooperation in the area of economic development by attracting new businesses and creating new jobs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the advantages of regional cooperation in Hampton Roads. The joint subcommittee will emphasize the benefits of reducing the duplication of governmental services and the advantage of a regional approach in attracting new businesses to Hampton Roads.

The joint subcommittee shall be composed of fifteen members, which shall include 10 legislative members and 5 nonlegislative members as follows: six 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; two local government representatives from the region and one citizen-at-large from the region, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; and one local government representative and one citizen-at-large from the region, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $ 6,800.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. Technical assistance may be provided by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and the localities of the Hampton Roads region. 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.