SB705: State Government Programs, Joint Commission on; created, report.

SENATE BILL NO. 705
Offered January 20, 2006
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 30 a chapter numbered 40, consisting of sections numbered 30-266 through 30-268, relating to the creation of the Joint Commission on State Government Programs.
Patron-- Stolle

Referred to Committee on Rules

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 30 a chapter numbered 40, consisting of sections numbered 30-266 through 30-268, as follows:

CHAPTER 40.
JOINT COMMISSION ON STATE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS.

§ 30-266. Joint Commission on State Government Programs; membership; terms; compensation.

A. The Joint Commission on State Government Programs (the Commission) is established in the legislative branch of state government. The purpose of the Commission is to conduct such systematic reviews of state programs as it deems appropriate and make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly concerning such programs' success in achieving their goals and their overall effectiveness.

B. The Commission shall be composed of 12 members as follows: five members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and seven members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates. Six members shall constitute a quorum.

C. Members shall serve for terms coincident with their terms of office. Members may be reappointed. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.

D. The members of the Commission shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its members.

E. Members of the Commission shall receive compensation as provided in § 30-19.12 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. However, all such expense payments shall come from existing appropriations to the Commission.

§ 30-267. Powers and duties.

The Commission shall have the following powers and duties: 

1. Make programmatic reviews of operations of state agencies to ascertain that sums appropriated have been, or are being, expended for the purposes for which such appropriations were made and to evaluate the effectiveness of programs in accomplishing legislative intent;

2. Make such special studies of and reports on the operations and functions of state agencies as it deems appropriate and as may be requested by the General Assembly; and

3. Make such reports on its findings and recommendations at such time and in such manner as the Commission deems proper and submitting same to the Governor and to the General Assembly. Such reports shall relate to the following matters:

a. Ways in which the agencies may operate more economically and efficiently;

b. Ways in which agencies can provide better services to the Commonwealth and its citizens; and

c. Areas in which functions of state agencies are duplicative or overlapping, fail to accomplish legislative objectives, or for any other reason should be redefined or redistributed.

§ 30-268. Staff; cooperation and assistance.

The Commission may employ such staff as it deems appropriate to carry out its responsibilities under this chapter. All agencies, authorities, and institutions of the Commonwealth shall cooperate and provide such assistance to the Commission as the Commission may request.