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1999 SESSION

989082300
HOUSE BILL NO. 1043
Offered January 26, 1998
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.1-1.6, 2.1-20.4, 9-6.14:4.1, and 9-6.25:2 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 22.1 a chapter numbered 21, consisting of sections numbered 22.1-355 through 22.1-361, relating to the creation of the Virginia Information Access Act of 1998.
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Patrons-- Jackson, Abbitt, Armstrong, Baskerville, Deeds, Johnson, Phillips, Shuler and Stump
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Referred to Committee on Science and Technology
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 2.1-1.6, 2.1-20.4, 9-6.14:4.1, and 9-6.25:2 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted, and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 22.1 a chapter numbered 21, consisting of sections numbered 22.1-355 through 22.1-361, as follows:

§ 2.1-1.6. State boards.

A. There shall be, in addition to such others as may be established by law, the following permanent collegial bodies affiliated with a state agency within the executive branch:

Accountancy, Board for

Aging, Advisory Board on the

Agriculture and Consumer Services, Board of

Air Pollution, State Advisory Board on

Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, Virginia

Apple Board, Virginia State

Appomattox State Scenic River Advisory Board

Aquaculture Advisory Board

Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Landscape Architects, State Board for

Art and Architectural Review Board

Athletic Board, Virginia

Auctioneers Board

Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, Board of

Aviation Board, Virginia

Barbers, Board for

Branch Pilots, Board for

Bright Flue-Cured Tobacco Board, Virginia

Building Code Technical Review Board, State

Catoctin Creek State Scenic River Advisory Board

Cattle Industry Board, Virginia

Cave Board

Certified Seed Board, State

Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Board

Chickahominy State Scenic River Advisory Board

Child Abuse and Neglect, Advisory Board on

Chippokes Plantation Farm Foundation, Board of Trustees

Clinch Scenic River Advisory Board

Coal Mining Examiners, Board of

Coal Research and Development Advisory Board, Virginia

Coal Surface Mining Reclamation Fund Advisory Board

Conservation and Development of Public Beaches, Board on

Conservation and Recreation, Board of

Contractors, Board for

Corn Board, Virginia

Correctional Education, Board of

Corrections, State Board of

Cosmetology, Board for

Criminal Justice Services Board

Dark-Fired Tobacco Board, Virginia

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, Advisory Board for the Department for the

Dentistry, Board of

Design-Build/Construction Management Review Board

Education, State Board of

Egg Board, Virginia

Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, State

Farmers Market Board, Virginia

Fire Services Board, Virginia

Forestry, Board of

Funeral Directors and Embalmers, Board of

Game and Inland Fisheries, Board of

Geology, Board for

Goose Creek Scenic River Advisory Board

Health Planning Board, Virginia

Health Professions, Board of

Health, State Board of

Hearing Aid Specialists, Board for

Hemophilia Advisory Board

Historic Resources, Board of

Housing and Community Development, Board of

Information Access, Board for

Irish Potato Board, Virginia

Juvenile Justice, State Board of

Litter Control and Recycling Fund Advisory Board

Marine Products Board, Virginia

Medical Advisory Board, Department of Motor Vehicles

Medicare and Medicaid, Advisory Board on

Medicine, Board of

Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services Board, State

Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Board

Military Affairs, Board of

Mineral Mining Examiners, Board of

Minority Business Enterprise, Interdepartmental Board of the Department of

Networking Users Advisory Board, State

Neurotrauma Initiative Advisory Board, Commonwealth

North Meherrin State Scenic River Advisory Board

Nottoway State Scenic River Advisory Board

Nursing, Board of

Nursing Home Administrators, Board of

Occupational Therapy, Advisory Board on

Oil and Gas Conservation Board, Virginia

Opticians, Board for

Optometry, Board of

Peanut Board, Virginia

Personnel Advisory Board

Pesticide Control Board

Pharmacy, Board of

Physical Therapy to the Board of Medicine, Advisory Board on

Plant Pollination Advisory Board

Polygraph Examiners Advisory Board

Pork Industry Board, Virginia

Poultry Products Board, Virginia

Private College Advisory Board

Private Security Services Advisory Board

Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board for

Professional Counselors, Board of

Professional Soil Scientists, Board for

Psychiatric Advisory Board

Psychology, Board of

Public Buildings Board, Virginia

Public Broadcasting Board, Virginia

Radiation Advisory Board

Real Estate Appraiser Board

Real Estate Board

Reciprocity Board, Department of Motor Vehicles

Recreational Fishing Advisory Board, Virginia

Recreation Specialists, Board of

Reforestation Board

Rehabilitation Providers, Advisory Board on

Rehabilitative Services, Board of

Respiratory Therapy, Advisory Board on

Rockfish State Scenic River Advisory Board

Safety and Health Codes Board

Seed Potato Board

Sewage Handling and Disposal Appeal Review Board, State Health Department

Shenandoah State Scenic River Advisory Board

Small Business Advisory Board

Small Business Environmental Compliance Advisory Board

Small Grains Board, Virginia

Social Services, Board of

Social Work, Board of

Soil and Water Conservation Board, Virginia

Soybean Board, Virginia

State Air Pollution Control Board

Substance Abuse Certification Board

Surface Mining Review, Board of

Sweet Potato Board, Virginia

T & M Vehicle Dealers' Advisory Board

Teacher Education and Licensure, Advisory Board on

Transportation Board, Commonwealth

Transportation Safety, Board of

Treasury Board, The, Department of the Treasury

Veterans' Affairs, Board on

Veterinary Medicine, Board of

Virginia Board for Asbestos and Lead

Virginia Coal Mine Safety Board

Virginia Correctional Enterprises Advisory Board

Virginia Cotton Board

Virginia Employment Commission, State Advisory Board for the

Virginia Geographic Information Network Advisory Board

Virginia Horse Industry Board

Virginia Manufactured Housing Board

Virginia Retirement System, Board of Trustees

Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, Advisory Commission on the

Virginia Sheep Industry Board

Virginia Veterans Cemetery Board

Virginia Waste Management Board

Visually Handicapped, Virginia Board for the

Voluntary Formulary Board, Virginia

War Memorial Foundation, Virginia, Board of Trustees

Waste Management Facility Operators, Board for

Water Resources Research Center Statewide Advisory Board, Virginia

Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators, Board for

Well Review Board, Virginia.

B. Notwithstanding the definition for "board" as provided in § 2.1-1.2, the following entities shall be referred to as boards:

Compensation Board

State Board of Elections

State Water Control Board

Virginia Parole Board

Virginia Veterans Care Center Board of Trustees.

§ 2.1-20.4. Bodies receiving compensation.

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following commissions, boards, etc., shall be those which receive compensation from state funds pursuant to § 2.1-20.3:

Accountancy, Board for

Agriculture and Consumer Services, Board of

Air Pollution Control Board, State

Airports Authority, Virginia

Apprenticeship Council

Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Landscape Architects, State Board for

Athletic Board, Virginia

Auctioneers Board

Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, Board of

Aviation Board, Virginia

Barbers, Board for

Branch Pilots, Board for

Building Code Technical Review Board, State

Charitable Gaming Commission

Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Board

Coal Mining Examiners, Board of

College Building Authority

Commonwealth Competition Council

Commonwealth Transportation Board

Conservation and Development of Public Beaches, Board on

Conservation and Recreation, Board of

Contractors, Board for

Correctional Education, Board of

Corrections, Board of

Cosmetology, Board for

Criminal Justice Services Board

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, Advisory Board for the

Dentistry, Board of

Education, State Board of

Education Loan Authority, Virginia - Board of Directors

Elections, State Board of

Environment, Council on the

Fire Services Board, Virginia

Funeral Directors and Embalmers, Board of

Game and Inland Fisheries, Board of

Geology, Board for

Health, State Board of

Health Professions, Board of

Hearing Aid Specialists, Board for

Higher Education, State Council of

Historic Resources, Board of

Housing and Community Development, Board of

Information Access, Board for

Information Management, Council on

Juvenile Justice, State Board of

Marine Resources Commission

Medical Assistance Services, Board of

Medical Complaint Investigation Committee

Medicine, Board of

Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services Board, State

Milk Commission

Mineral Mining Examiners, Board of

Motor Vehicle Dealer Board

Nursing, Board of

Nursing Home Administrators, Board of

Occupational Therapy, Advisory Board on

Oil and Gas Conservation Board, Virginia

Opticians, Board for

Optometry, Board of

Pesticide Control Board

Pharmacy, Board of

Physical Therapy, Advisory Board on

Port Authority, Board of Commissioners of the Virginia

Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board for

Professional Counselors, Board of

Professional Soil Scientists, Board for

Psychology, Board of

Public Defender Commission

Public School Authority, Virginia

Purchases and Supply Appeals Board

Real Estate Appraiser Board

Real Estate Board

Recreation Specialists, Board of

Rehabilitative Services, Board of

Respiratory Therapy, Advisory Board on

Safety and Health Codes Board

Seed Potato Board

Social Services, Board of

Social Work, Board of

State Health Department Sewage Handling and Disposal Appeal Review Board

Substance Abuse Certification Board

Surface Mining Review, Board of

Treasury Board

Veterans' Affairs, Board on

Veterinary Medicine, Board of

Virginia Board for Asbestos Licensing

Virginia Health Planning Board

Virginia Manufactured Housing Board

Virginia Veterans Care Center Board of Trustees

Virginia Waste Management Board

Visually Handicapped, Virginia Board for the

Waste Management Facility Operators, Board for

Water Control Board, State

Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators, Board for

Well Review Board, Virginia.

B. Individual members of boards, commissions, committees, councils, and other similar bodies appointed at the state level and receiving compensation for their services on January 1, 1980, but who will not receive compensation under the provisions of this article, shall continue to receive compensation at the January 1, 1980, rate until such member's current term expires.

§ 9-6.14:4.1. Exemptions and exclusions.

A. Although required to comply with § 9-6.18 of the Virginia Register Act (§ 9-6.15 et seq.), the following agencies are exempted from the provisions of this chapter, except to the extent that they are specifically made subject to §§ 9-6.14:14.1, 9-6.14:21 and 9-6.14:22:

1. The General Assembly.

2. Courts, any agency of the Supreme Court, and any agency which by the Constitution is expressly granted any of the powers of a court of record.

3. The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in promulgating regulations regarding the management of wildlife and for all case decisions rendered pursuant to any provisions of Chapters 2 (§ 29.1-200 et seq.), 3 (§ 29.1-300 et seq.), 4 (§ 29.1-400 et seq.), 5 (§ 29.1-500 et seq.), and 7 (§ 29.1-700 et seq.) of Title 29.1.

4. The Virginia Housing Development Authority.

5. Municipal corporations, counties, and all local, regional or multijurisdictional authorities created under this Code, including those with federal authorities.

6. Educational institutions operated by the Commonwealth provided that, with respect to § 9-6.14:22, such educational institutions shall be exempt from the publication requirements only with respect to regulations which pertain to (i) their academic affairs; (ii) the selection, tenure, promotion and disciplining of faculty and employees; (iii) the selection of students; and (iv) rules of conduct and disciplining of students.

7. The Milk Commission in promulgating regulations regarding (i) producers' licenses and bases, (ii) classification and allocation of milk, computation of sales and shrinkage, and (iii) class prices for producers' milk, time and method of payment, butterfat testing and differential.

8. The Virginia Resources Authority.

9. Agencies expressly exempted by any other provision of this Code.

10. The Virginia Voluntary Formulary Board in formulating recommendations regarding amendments to the Formulary pursuant to § 32.1-81.

11. The Council on Information Management.

12. The Department of General Services in promulgating standards for the inspection of buildings for asbestos pursuant to § 2.1-526.14.

13, 14. [Repealed.]

15. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, in developing, issuing, and revising guidelines pursuant to § 23-9.6:2.

16. The Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services in adopting regulations pursuant to subsection B of § 3.1-726.

17. The Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services in promulgating regulations pursuant to subsections B and C of § 3.1-106.4, subsection B of § 3.1-126.12:1, § 3.1-271.1, § 3.1-398, subsections B and C of § 3.1-828.4, and subsection A of § 3.1-884.21:1.

18. The Board of Optometry when specifying therapeutic pharmaceutical agents, treatment guidelines, and diseases and abnormal conditions of the human eye and its adnexa for TPA-certification of optometrists pursuant to Article 5 (§ 54.1-3222 et seq.) of Chapter 32 of Title 54.1.

19. The Board of Medicine, in consultation with the Board of Pharmacy, when promulgating amendments to the Physician Assistant Formulary established pursuant to § 54.1-2952.1.

20. The Boards of Medicine and Nursing in promulgating amendments to the Nurse Practitioner Formulary established pursuant to § 54.1-2957.01.

21. The Virginia War Memorial Foundation.

22. The Virginia Medicaid Prior Authorization Advisory Committee in making recommendations to the Board of Medical Assistance Services regarding prior authorization for prescription drug coverage pursuant to Article 4 (§ 32.1-331.12 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of Title 32.1.

23. The State Board of Education, in developing, issuing, and revising guidelines pursuant to § 22.1-280.3.

24. The Virginia Student Assistance Authorities.

25. The Virginia Racing Commission, when acting by and through its duly appointed stewards or in matters related to any specific race meeting.

26. The Virginia Small Business Financing Authority.

27. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority.

28. The Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services in adopting, amending or repealing regulations pursuant to subdivision A (ii) of § 59.1-156.

29. The Insurance Continuing Education Board pursuant to § 38.2-1867.

30. The Board for Information Access.

B. Agency action relating to the following subjects is exempted from the provisions of this chapter:

1. Money or damage claims against the Commonwealth or agencies thereof.

2. The award or denial of state contracts, as well as decisions regarding compliance therewith.

3. The location, design, specifications or construction of public buildings or other facilities.

4. Grants of state or federal funds or property.

5. The chartering of corporations.

6. Customary military, naval or police functions.

7. The selection, tenure, dismissal, direction or control of any officer or employee of an agency of the Commonwealth.

8. The conduct of elections or eligibility to vote.

9. Inmates of prisons or other such facilities or parolees therefrom.

10. The custody of persons in, or sought to be placed in, mental, penal or other state institutions as well as the treatment, supervision, or discharge of such persons.

11. Traffic signs, markers or control devices.

12. Instructions for application or renewal of a license, certificate, or registration required by law.

13. Content of, or rules for the conduct of, any examination required by law.

14. The administration of a pool or pools authorized by Article 7.1 (§ 2.1-234.9:1 et seq.) of Chapter 14 of Title 2.1.

15. Any rules for the conduct of specific lottery games, so long as such rules are not inconsistent with duly adopted regulations of the State Lottery Board, and provided that such regulations are published and posted.

16. Orders condemning or closing any shellfish, finfish, or crustacea growing area and the shellfish, finfish or crustacea located thereon pursuant to Article 2 (§ 28.2-803 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 28.2.

17. Any operating procedures for review of child deaths developed by the State Child Fatality Review Team pursuant to § 32.1-283.1.

18. The regulations for the implementation of the Health Practitioners' Intervention Program and the activities of the Intervention Program Committee pursuant to Chapter 25.1 (§ 54.1-2515 et seq.) of Title 54.1.

19. The process of reviewing and ranking grant applications submitted to the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Advisory Board pursuant to Article 12 (§ 32.1-73.1 et seq.) of Chapter 2 of Title 32.1.

20. Loans from the Small Business Environmental Compliance Assistance Fund pursuant to Article 4 (§ 10.1-1197.1 et seq.) of Chapter 11.1 of Title 10.1.

C. The following agency actions otherwise subject to this chapter and § 9-6.18 of the Virginia Register Act are excluded from the operation of Article 2 (§ 9-6.14:7.1 et seq.) of this chapter:

1. Agency orders or regulations fixing rates or prices.

2. Regulations which establish or prescribe agency organization, internal practice or procedures, including delegations of authority.

3. Regulations which consist only of changes in style or form or corrections of technical errors. Each promulgating agency shall review all references to sections of the Code of Virginia within their regulations each time a new supplement or replacement volume to the Code of Virginia is published to ensure the accuracy of each section or section subdivision identification listed.

4. Regulations which:

(a) Are necessary to conform to changes in Virginia statutory law or the appropriation act where no agency discretion is involved;

(b) Are required by order of any state or federal court of competent jurisdiction where no agency discretion is involved; or

(c) Are necessary to meet the requirements of federal law or regulations, provided such regulations do not differ materially from those required by federal law or regulation, and the Registrar has so determined in writing; notice of the proposed adoption of these regulations and the Registrar's above determination shall be published in the Virginia Register not less than thirty days prior to the effective date thereof.

5. Regulations which an agency finds are necessitated by an emergency situation. For the purposes of this subdivision, "emergency situation" means (i) a situation involving an imminent threat to public health or safety or (ii) a situation in which Virginia statutory law or the appropriation act or federal law or federal regulation requires that a regulation shall be effective in 280 days or less from enactment of the law or the appropriation act or the effective date of the federal regulation, and the regulation is not exempt under the provisions of subdivision C 4 of this section. In such cases, the agency shall state in writing the nature of the emergency and of the necessity for such action and may adopt such regulations. Pursuant to § 9-6.14:9, such regulations shall become effective upon approval by the Governor and filing with the Registrar of Regulations. Such regulations shall be limited to no more than twelve months in duration. During the twelve-month period, an agency may issue additional emergency regulations as needed addressing the subject matter of the initial emergency regulation, but any such additional emergency regulations shall not be effective beyond the twelve-month period from the effective date of the initial emergency regulation. If the agency wishes to continue regulating the subject matter governed by the emergency regulation beyond the twelve-month limitation, a regulation to replace the emergency regulation shall be promulgated in accordance with Article 2 (§ 9-6.14:7.1 et seq.) of this chapter. The Notice of Intended Regulatory Action to promulgate a replacement regulation shall be filed with the Registrar within sixty days of the effective date of the emergency regulation and published as soon as practicable, and the proposed replacement regulation shall be filed with the Registrar within 180 days after the effective date of the emergency regulation and published as soon as practicable.

6. [Repealed.]

7. Preliminary program permit fees of the Department of Environmental Quality assessed pursuant to subsection C of § 10.1-1322.2.

8. Regulations of the Pesticide Control Board adopted pursuant to subsection B of § 3.1-249.51 or clause (v) or (vi) of subsection C of § 3.1-249.53 after having been considered at two or more Board meetings and one public hearing.

9. Regulations of the regulatory boards served by (i) the Department of Labor and Industry pursuant to Title 40.1 and (ii) the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation or the Department of Health Professions pursuant to Title 54.1 which are limited to reducing fees charged to regulants and applicants.

10. The development and issuance of procedural policy relating to risk-based mine inspections by the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy authorized pursuant to §§ 45.1-161.82 and 45.1-161.292:55.

11. General permits issued by the State Air Pollution Control Board pursuant to Chapter 13 (§ 10.1-1300 et seq.) of Title 10.1 if the Board: (i) provides a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action in conformance with the provisions of subsection B of § 9-6.14:7.1, (ii) following the passage of thirty days from the publication of the Notice of Intended Regulatory Action forms a technical advisory committee composed of relevant stakeholders, including potentially affected citizens groups, to assist in the development of the general permit, (iii) provides notice and receives oral and written comment as provided in subsection F of § 9-6.14:7.1, and (iv) conducts at least one public hearing on the proposed general permit.

12. General permits issued by the State Water Control Board pursuant to the State Water Control Law (§ 62.1-44.2 et seq.), Chapter 24 (§ 62.1-242 et seq.) of Title 62.1 and Chapter 25 (§ 62.1-254 et seq.) of Title 62.1 if the Board: (i) provides a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action in conformance with the provisions of subsection B of § 9-6.14:7.1, (ii) following the passage of thirty days from the publication of the Notice of Intended Regulatory Action forms a technical advisory committee composed of relevant stakeholders, including potentially affected citizens groups, to assist in the development of the general permit, (iii) provides notice and receives oral and written comment as provided in subsection F of § 9-6.14:7.1, and (iv) conducts at least one public hearing on the proposed general permit.

13. The development and issuance by the Board of Education of guidelines on constitutional rights and restrictions relating to the recitation of the pledge of allegiance to the American flag in public schools pursuant to § 22.1-202.

14. Regulations of the Board of the Virginia Higher Education Tuition Trust Fund promulgated pursuant to § 23-38.77.

15. The development and issuance of general wetlands permits by the Marine Resources Commission pursuant to subsection B of § 28.2-1307 if the Commission: (i) provides a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action in conformance with the provisions of subsection B of § 9-6.14:7.1, (ii) following the passage of thirty days from publication of the Notice of Intended Regulatory Action forms a technical advisory committee composed of relevant stake holders, including potentially affected citizens groups, to assist in the development of the general permit, (iii) provides notice and receives oral and written comment as provided in subsection F of § 9-6.14:7.1, and (iv) conducts at least one public hearing on the proposed general permit.

Whenever regulations are adopted under this subsection C, the agency shall state as part thereof that it will receive, consider and respond to petitions by any interested person at any time with respect to reconsideration or revision. The effective date of regulations adopted under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of § 9-6.14:9.3, except in the case of emergency regulations, which shall become effective as provided in subsection A of § 9-6.14:9.

D. The following agency actions otherwise subject to this chapter are excluded from the operation of Article 3 (§ 9-6.14:11 et seq.) of this chapter:

1. The assessment of taxes or penalties and other rulings in individual cases in connection with the administration of the tax laws.

2. The award or denial of claims for workers' compensation.

3. The grant or denial of public assistance.

4. Temporary injunctive or summary orders authorized by law.

5. The determination of claims for unemployment compensation or special unemployment.

6. The suspension of any license, certificate, registration or authority granted any person by the Department of Health Professions or the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation for the dishonor, by a bank or financial institution named, of any check, money draft or similar instrument used in payment of a fee required by statute or regulation.

E. Appeals from decisions of the Governor's Employment and Training Department otherwise subject to this chapter are excluded from the operation of Article 4 (§ 9-6.14:15 et seq.) of this chapter.

F. The Marine Resources Commission, otherwise subject to this chapter and § 9-6.18 of the Virginia Register Act, is excluded from the operation of subdivision C 5 of this section and of Article 2 (§ 9-6.14:7.1 et seq.) of this chapter.

G. A regulation for which an exemption is claimed under this section and which is placed before a board or commission for consideration shall be provided at least two days in advance of the board or commission meeting to members of the public that request a copy of that regulation. A copy of that regulation shall be made available to the public attending such meeting.

H. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall conduct a review periodically of exemptions and exclusions authorized by this section. The purpose of this review shall be to assess whether there are any exemptions or exclusions which should be discontinued or modified.

I. Minor changes to regulations being published in the Virginia Administrative Code under the Virginia Register Act, Chapter 1.2 (§ 9-6.15 et seq.) of this title, made by the Virginia Code Commission pursuant to § 9-77.10:1 shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.

§ 9-6.25:2. Policy boards, commissions and councils.

There shall be, in addition to such others as may be designated in accordance with § 9-6.25, the following policy boards, commissions and councils:

Apprenticeship Council

Athletic Board

Auctioneers Board

Blue Ridge Regional Education and Training Council

Board for Accountancy

Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Landscape Architects

Board for Barbers

Board for Contractors

Board for Cosmetology

Board for Geology

Board for Hearing Aid Specialists

Board for Information Access

Board for Opticians

Board for Professional and Occupational Regulation

Board for Professional Soil Scientists

Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators

Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

Board of Coal Mining Examiners

Board of Conservation and Recreation

Board of Correctional Education

Board of Dentistry

Board of Directors, Virginia Student Assistance Authorities

Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers

Board of Health Professions

Board of Historic Resources

Board of Housing and Community Development

Board of Medical Assistance Services

Board of Medicine

Board of Mineral Mining Examiners

Board of Nursing

Board of Nursing Home Administrators

Board of Optometry

Board of Pharmacy

Board of Professional Counselors

Board of Psychology

Board of Recreation Specialists

Board of Social Services

Board of Social Work

Board of Surface Mining Review

Board of Veterinary Medicine

Board on Conservation and Development of Public Beaches

Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Board

Child Day-Care Council

Commission on Local Government

Commonwealth Transportation Board

Council on Human Rights

Council on Information Management

Criminal Justice Services Board

Design-Build/Construction Management Review Board

Disability Services Council

Farmers Market Board, Virginia

Interdepartmental Council on Rate-setting for Children's Facilities

Library Board, The Library of Virginia

Marine Resources Commission

Milk Commission

Pesticide Control Board

Real Estate Appraiser Board

Real Estate Board

Reciprocity Board, Department of Motor Vehicles

Safety and Health Codes Board

Seed Potato Board

Southside Virginia Marketing Council

Specialized Transportation Council

State Air Pollution Control Board

State Board of Corrections

State Board of Elections

State Board of Health

State Board of Juvenile Justice

State Health Department, Sewage Handling and Disposal Appeal Review Board

State Library Board

State Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services Board

State Water Control Board

Substance Abuse Certification Board

Treasury Board, The, Department of the Treasury

Virginia Aviation Board

Virginia Board for Asbestos and Lead

Virginia Fire Services Board

Virginia Gas and Oil Board

Virginia Health Planning Board

Virginia Manufactured Housing Board

Virginia Parole Board

Virginia Public Broadcasting Board

Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board

Virginia Voluntary Formulary Board

Virginia Waste Management Board

Waste Management Facility Operators, Board for.

CHAPTER 21.
VIRGINIA INFORMATION ACCESS ACT OF 1998.

§ 22.1-355. Purpose of chapter.

It is hereby found, determined, and declared that information access through computer hardware, software programs, databases, networks, and information systems which are supported in whole or in part by the general funds of the Commonwealth is a privilege and not a right. The purpose of this chapter, which may be cited as the "Virginia Information Access Act of 1998," is to create and empower a policy board to develop, design, deploy, maintain, and update information access for (i) students in the Commonwealth's public elementary and secondary schools who are under the age of eighteen and (ii) patrons of the Commonwealth's public libraries who are under the age of eighteen.

§ 22.1-356. Board created; membership; terms; meetings; quorum; compensation.

A. There is hereby created the Board for Information Access (the "Board") as a policy board within the meaning of § 9-6.25:2. The Board shall consist of the nine members of the Board of Education appointed pursuant to § 22.1-9, the Superintendent of Public Instruction appointed pursuant to § 22.1-21, the fifteen members of the Library Board appointed pursuant to § 42.1-2, and the State Librarian appointed pursuant to § 42.1-13. In even-numbered years, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall be the chairman of the Board. In odd-numbered years, the State Librarian shall be the chairman of the Board. The Board may elect from among its membership such other officers as it deems necessary, convenient, or desirable to properly and efficiently discharge its duties. Board members shall serve terms coincident with the terms of their gubernatorial appointments.

B. Upon the call of the chairman, the Board may meet as often as is necessary, convenient, or desirable to properly and efficiently discharge its duties, but not less than once every three months. Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, a majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of its business.

C. Pursuant to § 2.1-20.3, Board members shall be entitled to receive compensation for their service and to be reimbursed reasonable and necessary expenses incurred for attending Board meetings.

§ 22.1-357. Powers and duties.

The Board shall have the following powers and duties:

1. To develop and design the Virginia Information Access Intranet (the "VIAI") created pursuant to § 22.1-358.

2. To deploy the VIAI on July 1, 1999, and to continue to provide it thereafter, free of any fees or charges, to the Commonwealth's public elementary and secondary schools and public libraries.

3. To maintain and update the VIAI and ensure that its content furthers the purposes of this Act.

4. To sell or license the VIAI and any updates thereto under such terms and conditions and at such prices as the Board deems appropriate, to deposit the proceeds from the sale or license of the VIAI and any updates thereto into the Virginia Information Access Intranet Fund (the "VIAIF") created pursuant to § 22.1-359, and to administer the VIAIF consistent with the purposes of this Act.

§ 22.1-358. Virginia Information Access Intranet created; content; maintenance and updates.

A. The Board shall develop, design, deploy, maintain, and update the Virginia Information Access Intranet (the "VIAI"). The VIAI shall be an electronic information network which connects the community of interest shared by (i) students in the Commonwealth's public elementary and secondary schools who are under the age of eighteen and (ii) patrons of the Commonwealth's public libraries who are under the age of eighteen. Consistent with the finding, determination, and declaration of this Act that information access through computer hardware, software programs, databases, networks, and information systems which are supported in whole or in part by the general funds of the Commonwealth is a privilege and not a right, the VIAI shall consist of information and material which furthers purposes, pursuits, or endeavors related to education; instruction; research; world, national, state, or local government events and affairs; and public service and civic duties. The Board shall not include in the VIAI any information or material which (i) is in violation of any federal, state, or local law; (ii) infringes upon the rights of any person; (iii) is defamatory, threatening, abusive, obscene, profane, pornographic, or lascivious; (iv) constitutes an advertisement, solicitation, or political lobbying; or (v) encourages or incites the use of controlled dangerous substances, alcohol, tobacco, or other illegal products or activities.

B. Upon written request to the Board from a member of (i) the Board for Information Access, (ii) a local school board appointed or elected pursuant to § 22.1-29, or (iii) a library board appointed pursuant to § 42.1-35, the Board shall consider the addition or deletion of information or materials from the VIAI. Upon a two-thirds vote of the total membership of the Board, requests to delete information or materials shall be granted. Upon a majority vote of a quorum of the Board, requests to add information or material to the VIAI shall be granted.

C. The VIAI and its development, design, deployment, maintenance, and updates shall, for all purposes, be held and owned as the intellectual property of the Commonwealth. Upon such terms, conditions, and prices as the Board deems appropriate, the Board may sell or license the VIAI and any updates thereto to any person or entity desiring to purchase or license same. Prior to execution, the form of any agreement to sell or license the VIAI shall be subject to approval by the Attorney General.

§ 22.1-359. Virginia Information Access Intranet Fund created; purposes.

A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Information Access Intranet Fund (the "VIAIF"). The VIAIF shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All proceeds from sales or licensing of the VIAI and any updates thereto shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the VIAIF. Interest earned on moneys in the VIAIF shall remain in the VIAIF and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining the VIAIF, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the VIAIF.

B. Moneys in the VIAIF shall be used by the Board to further the purposes of this Act in developing, designing, deploying, maintaining, and updating information access for (i) students in the Commonwealth's public elementary and secondary schools who are under the age of eighteen and (ii) patrons of the Commonwealth's public libraries who are under the age of eighteen. Such uses may include purchasing or leasing computer hardware, software programs, databases, networks, and information systems for or on behalf of the Commonwealth's public elementary and secondary schools and public libraries; providing training or retraining for teachers, librarians, administrators, and staff of the Commonwealth's public elementary and secondary schools and public libraries; and supplying the Board with adequate and appropriate staff to support the technical and nontechnical requirements to develop, design, deploy, maintain, and update the VIAI.

C. Expenditures and disbursements from the VIAIF shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the chairman of the Board.

§ 22.1-360. Exemption from Administrative Process Act; Board staff and additional support.

A. The Board shall be exempt from the Administrative Process Act (§ 9-6.14:1 et seq.), but shall comply the Virginia Register Act (§ 9-6.15 et seq.).

B. Staff shall be provided to the Board by the Department of Education and the Library of Virginia and from such funds appropriated by the General Assembly to further the purposes of this Act. Upon the Board's request, the Council on Information Management (or its successor agency or office) and the Department of Information Technology (or its successor agency) shall provide additional assistance and support to the Board.

§ 22.1-361. Obligations of public schools and libraries; violations; Governor authorized to withhold general funds.

A. Consistent with the finding, determination, and declaration of this Act that information access through computer hardware, software programs, databases, networks, and information systems which are supported in whole or in part by the general funds of the Commonwealth is a privilege and not a right, on and after July 1, 1999, no public elementary or secondary school or public library in this Commonwealth shall provide access to the international network of computer systems commonly known as the Internet to (i) students in the Commonwealth's public elementary and secondary schools who are under the age of eighteen and (ii) patrons of the Commonwealth's public libraries who are under the age of eighteen.

B. Upon written recommendation from the Board to the Governor that a public elementary or secondary school or public library in this Commonwealth has violated subsection A of this section, the Governor is authorized to direct the Comptroller to withhold the distribution of all or part of the general funds of this Commonwealth to such school or library until such violation is remedied.