HB1705: National Defense Industrial Authority; clarifies that employees are eligible to participate in VRS.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1705
Offered January 10, 2007
Prefiled December 15, 2006
A BILL to amend and reenact § 2.2-2329 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Virginia National Defense Industrial Authority; employees.
Patron-- Lingamfelter

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 2.2-2329 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 2.2-2329. Board of directors; members and officers; executive director.

A. The Authority shall be governed by a board of directors consisting of 16 nonlegislative members appointed as follows: four members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; two members to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; and 10 members to be appointed by the Governor as follows: (i) three persons who are retired General Officers or Department of Defense Senior Executive Service members representing the United States Armed Forces or the Department of Defense, (ii) four persons representing civic interests in the regions of Central Virginia, Southwestern Virginia, Northern Virginia, and Hampton Roads, (iii) one person representing higher education, and (iv) two persons with experience in commercial real estate and public financing.

B. With the exception of initial staggered terms, all appointments shall be for six years. Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Board shall be made for the unexpired term of the member whose death, resignation or removal created the vacancy.

C. The Board shall annually elect one of its members as chairman and another as vice-chairman. The chairman or, in his absence, the vice-chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board. Meetings of the Board shall be held at the call of the chairman or of any seven members. Seven members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the Authority's business, and no vacancy in the membership shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the Authority.

D. The members of the Board shall be entitled to reimbursement for their reasonable travel, meal, and lodging expenses incurred in attending the meetings of the Board or while otherwise engaged in the discharge of their duties. Such expenses shall be paid out of the treasury of the Authority upon vouchers signed by the chairman of the Board or by such other person designated by the Board for this purpose.

E. The Board may employ an Executive Director of the Authority, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board, to direct the day-to-day operations and activities of the Authority and carry out the powers and duties conferred upon him by the Board. The Executive Director and employees of the Authority shall be compensated in the manner provided by the Board and shall not be subject to the provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.).

F. Employees of the Authority shall be treated as state employees for purposes of participation in the Virginia Retirement System, health insurance, and all other employee benefits offered by the Commonwealth to its classified employees.