HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 157 Offered January 9, 2008 Prefiled January 9, 2008 Directing the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability to study the functions and authorities of state entities with transportation responsibilities. Report. ---------- Patron-- Bouchard ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

WHEREAS, there are numerous state agencies with transportation responsibilities; and

WHEREAS, these state agencies all have various functions and authorities; and

WHEREAS, the statutory functions and authorities of these state agencies contain ambiguities, overlapping functions or other weaknesses; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability be directed to study the functions and authorities of state entities with transportation responsibilities.

In conducting its study, the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability shall:

1. Review the statutory functions and authorities of the federally mandated Metropolitan Planning Organizations in the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth-chartered Planning District Commissions and Transportation Authorities;

2. Make recommendations to resolve ambiguities, overlapping functions or other weaknesses of the Metropolitan Planning Organizations, the Planning District Commissions, and the Transportation Authorities; and

3. Review and make recommendations on the respective planning, approval, and project management authorities of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the Virginia Department of Transportation, and the Transportation Authorities.

Technical assistance shall be provided to the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability by JLARC. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability for this study, upon request.

The Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2008, 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 2009 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability 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 summary and report 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.