HOUSE BILL NO. 1563 Offered January 18, 2008 A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-203.2 and 2.2-225 of the Code of Virginia, relating to telecommuting; reports to the General Assembly. ---------- Patron-- Scott, J.M. ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That §§ 2.2-203.2 and 2.2-225 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 2.2-203.2. Secretary to advise and assist public and private sectors regarding telecommuting; report to the General Assembly.

A. The Secretary shall advise and assist state agencies, and upon request of the localities, the Secretary may advise and assist localities in planning, developing and administering programs, projects, plans, policies and other activities to promote telecommuting by employees of state agencies or localities.

B. The Secretary, upon request, may advise and assist private sector employers in the Commonwealth in planning, developing and administering programs, projects, plans, policies and other activities for telecommuting by private sector employees and in developing incentives provided by the private sector to encourage private sector employers in the Commonwealth to utilize employee telecommuting.

C. The Secretary shall assist the Secretary of Technology in preparing the annual report annually to the General Assembly on the status and efficiency of telecommuting in the Commonwealth pursuant to § 2.2-225.

§ 2.2-225. Position established; agencies for which responsible; additional powers.

The position of Secretary of Technology (the Secretary) is created. The Secretary shall be responsible to the Governor for the following agencies and boards: Information Technology Investment Board, Innovative Technology Authority, Virginia Information Technologies Agency, Virginia Geographic Information Network Advisory Board, the Wireless E-911 Services Board, and the Virginia Research and Technology Advisory Commission. The Governor, by executive order, may assign any other state executive agency to the Secretary, or reassign any agency listed in this section to another Secretary.

Unless the Governor expressly reserves such power to himself, the Secretary may, with regard to strategy development, planning and budgeting for technology programs in the Commonwealth:

1. Monitor trends and advances in fundamental technologies of interest and importance to the economy of the Commonwealth and direct and approve a stakeholder-driven technology strategy development process that results in a comprehensive and coordinated view of research and development goals for industry, academia and government in the Commonwealth. This strategy shall be updated biennially and submitted to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

2. Work closely with the appropriate federal research and development agencies and program managers to maximize the participation of Commonwealth industries and universities in these programs consistent with agreed strategy goals.

3. Direct the development of plans and programs for strengthening the technology resources of the Commonwealth's high technology industry sectors and for assisting in the strengthening and development of the Commonwealth's Regional Technology Councils.

4. Direct the development of plans and programs for improving access to capital for technology-based entrepreneurs.

5. Assist the Joint Commission on Technology and Science created pursuant to § 30-85 in its efforts to stimulate, encourage, and promote the development of technology in the Commonwealth.

6. Continuously monitor and analyze the technology investments and strategic initiatives of other states to ensure the Commonwealth remains competitive.

7. Strengthen interstate and international partnerships and relationships in the public and private sectors to bolster the Commonwealth's reputation as a global technology center.

8. Develop and implement strategies to accelerate and expand the commercialization of intellectual property created within the Commonwealth.

9. Ensure the Commonwealth remains competitive in cultivating and expanding growth industries, including life sciences, advanced materials and nanotechnology, biotechnology, and aerospace.

10. Monitor the trends in the availability and deployment of and access to broadband communications services, which include, but are not limited to, competitively priced, high-speed data services and Internet access services of general application, throughout the Commonwealth and advancements in communications technology for deployment potential. The Secretary shall report annually by December 1 to the Governor and General Assembly on those trends.

11. Work in conjunction with the Secretary of Administration and Secretary of Transportation in advising and assisting the public and private sectors regarding telecommuting. The Secretary shall report annually by October 1 to the General Assembly on the status and efficiency of telecommuting in the Commonwealth.