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1998 SESSION

989046312
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 170
Offered January 26, 1998
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the feasibility of metropolitan government in the Hampton Roads region.
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Patron-- Jones, J.C.
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, Hampton Roads is a growing, diverse, and dynamic region consisting of fifteen localities; and

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

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

WHEREAS, many large urban areas across the country have benefited from a more regional approach to government than typically exists in Virginia; and

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

WHEREAS, Hampton Roads may reap significant benefits from further regional cooperation in the area of economic development by attracting new businesses and creating new jobs; and

WHEREAS, Hampton Roads localities may wish to consider more substantial regional efforts, such as metropolitan government or consolidation of certain localities, in order to help the region meet its many demands; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the feasibility of metropolitan government in the Hampton Roads region. The joint subcommittee shall study examples of metropolitan government and local government consolidations from Virginia and other states and consider whether such approaches may be advantageous to the Hampton Roads region.

The joint subcommittee shall be composed of nine members, which shall include five legislative members and four nonlegislative members as follows: three members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; two members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; one local government representative and one citizen-at-large from the Hampton Roads region, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; and one local government representative and one citizen-at-large from the Hampton Roads region, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $ 4,600.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. Technical assistance may be provided by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, the localities of the Hampton Roads region, and the Commission on Local Government. 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 1999 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.