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1995 SESSION

LD3380476
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 516
Offered January 20, 1995
Establishing the Commission on Advanced Information and Communications Technologies.
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Patrons--Van Landingham, Christian, Cohen, Connally, Cunningham, Darner, Davies, Diamonstein, Heilig, Keating, Plum, Puller and Scott; Senator: Calhoun
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the economic competitiveness of states and nations is increasingly dependent upon the quality of their information and communications technology, infrastructure and services; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth is moving into an era in which economic activity will be increasingly centered in knowledge-based industries; and

WHEREAS, in the future, competitive advantages will accrue to states and communities that have an edge in accessing, processing, and transporting information; and

WHEREAS, the information and telecommunications capabilities of Virginia’s government, businesses, and educational institutions will heavily influence our economic position in the national and global economies; and

WHEREAS, Virginia may not now have the comprehensive telecommunications and information infrastructure required to enable its citizens, businesses, counties, cities, and towns to compete successfully in this new era; and

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the people of the Commonwealth to encourage cooperation and innovation among public and private sector information technology and telecommunications service providers and users, and to create and use infrastructure that will allow our businesses, citizens, and educational and public sector institutions to respond to and be competitive in the information age; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Commission on Advanced Information and Communication Technologies is hereby established. The commission shall study opportunities and incentives for, as well as barriers to, the deployment of information and communications technology for the purpose of meeting public needs in such areas as economic development, education, health care, crime control and prevention, public administration, and such other areas of public concerns as the commission may identify. The commission shall develop recommendations aimed at placing the Commonwealth at the forefront of communications and information technology for all citizens.

The commission shall recommend legislation, policies and procedures that will result in increased citizen access to the “global internet” in order to provide advantages to Virginia businesses, encourage new business opportunities, and contribute to the emergence of a competitive market for communications services. The commission shall also recommend means by which state resources may be wisely expended to encourage and complement citizen, business, and state agency access to state-of-the-art, competitively priced communications and information services.

The commission shall be composed of 12 members as follows: five members of the House of Delegates, three representing the House Corporations, Insurance and Banking Committee and two representing the House Appropriations Committee, all to be appointed by the Speaker; four members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; and three citizen members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $6,600.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the commission. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the commission, upon request. The commission shall also seek the cooperation and support of private sector business and industry, including information technology enterprises, cable and telecommunications providers, and others as appropriate.

The commission shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1996 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for processing 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.