SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 60 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 10, 2006 Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the role of the Commonwealth and its agencies in meeting Virginia's future transportation needs. Report. ---------- Patron-- Williams ---------- Referred to Committee on Rules ----------

WHEREAS, the economic prosperity of the Commonwealth and the quality of life of its citizens are dependent in large measure upon an adequate, efficient, safe, and affordable transportation system; and

WHEREAS, the transportation needs of the Commonwealth and its citizens are growing and evolving; and

WHEREAS, techniques and technologies to meet those needs are also growing and evolving; and

WHEREAS, it is highly desirable that the Commonwealth and its agencies with transportation responsibilities be prepared to meet the transportation challenges of the future as those challenges present themselves; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the role of the Commonwealth and its agencies in meeting Virginia's future transportation needs, including, but not limited to, redefining the role of the Commonwealth, regional entities, and local governments in the devolution of a unified state road system; revised and restructured functions of state agencies to concentrate on planning and contract management instead of direct facility construction, operation, and service delivery; and changes in the number of employees and the appropriations required for state administration.

The joint subcommittee shall have a total membership of 10 members appointed as follows: four members of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and six members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates. The joint subcommittee shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership, who shall be members of the General Assembly.

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall consult with representatives of state, regional, and local transportation agencies and entities with transportation responsibilities, state and local elected officials, and persons in the private sector with relevant expertise in transportation and transportation services delivery.

Administrative staff support shall be provided by the Office of the Clerk of the Senate. Legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the joint subcommittee shall be provided by the Division of Legislative Services. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee for this study, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall be limited to four meetings for the 2006 interim and four meetings for the 2007 interim, and the direct costs of this study shall not exceed $10,000 for each year.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its meetings for the first year by November 30, 2006, and for the second year by November 30, 2007, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the next Regular Session of the General Assembly for each year. Each executive summary shall state whether the joint subcommittee intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summaries and reports shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may approve or disapprove expenditures for this study, extend or delay the period for the conduct of the study, or authorize additional meetings during the 2006 or 2007 interim.

#