HB1297: Realignment Commission; created, report.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1297
Offered January 11, 2006
Prefiled January 11, 2006
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 27 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 9, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2732 and 2.2-2733, relating to the Commonwealth Realignment Commission.
Patron-- Saxman

Referred to Committee on General Laws

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 27 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 9, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2732 and 2.2-2733, as follows:

Article 9.
Commonwealth Realignment Commission.

§ 2.2-2732. Commonwealth Realignment Commission; composition; terms; compensation and expenses; office space; quorum; voting on recommendations.

There is hereby created the Commonwealth Realignment Commission (the Commission) as an independent agency of state government. The purpose of the Commission shall be to review the performance, relevance, and management efficiency of the programs, activities, and agencies of state government. The Commission shall consist of eight nonlegislative citizen members as follows: five members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and three members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. With the exception of initial staggered terms, all appointments shall be for six years. Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Commission shall be made for the unexpired term of the member whose death, resignation, or removal created the vacancy. Members may be reappointed for successive terms. 

Members of the Commission shall receive such compensation as provided in § 2.2-2813 and shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825. Funding for the costs of compensation and expenses of the members shall be provided from existing appropriations to the Commission.

The Commission shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. Meetings of the Commission shall be held upon the call of the chairman or whenever the majority of the members so request. 

§ 2.2-2733.  Duties of the Commission; recommendations to Governor.

A. In the performance of its duties, the Commission shall conduct regional town hall meetings and receive public comment on the performance, relevance, and management efficiency of the programs, activities, and agencies of state government. The Commission shall submit its recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than October 1, 2006, and shall thereafter report annually by October 1 of each year.

B. The Governor shall review the recommendations of the Commission and (i) eliminate all programs or activities so recommended by the Commission and (ii) realign or consolidate programs or activities so recommended by the Commission. Once approved by the Commission, all recommendations shall be implemented by the Governor no later than two years after the date of the Commission's approval.

2. That the initial terms of the members of the Commonwealth Realignment Commission appointed pursuant to this act shall be staggered as follows: (i) two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and one member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules to a term of three years; (ii) three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and one member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules to a term of five years, and (iii) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates for a term of six years. Thereafter the terms of members shall be six years.