SJ319: Home energy consumption; Housing Commission to study.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 319
Offered January 14, 2009
Prefiled January 13, 2009
Directing the Virginia Housing Commission to study home energy consumption. Report.

Patrons-- Whipple, Barker, Herring, Howell, Petersen and Ticer; Delegates: Amundson, Brink, Bulova, Ebbin, Eisenberg, Englin, Hugo, Marsden, Plum, Rust, Sickles, Vanderhye and Watts
Referred to Committee on Rules

WHEREAS, the Senate and the House of Delegates are increasingly concerned about energy efficiency and a greener earth; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Housing Commission has a work group dedicated to environmental concerns and housing; and

WHEREAS, purchasers of homes are concerned about energy consumption and energy bills; and

WHEREAS, residential property owners may benefit from viewing the past 12 months of the previous owner's utility bills; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Housing Commission provides an excellent forum for all stakeholders concerned with the issue to provide their view points; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Virginia Housing Commission be directed to study home energy consumption.

In conducting its study, the Virginia Housing Commission shall determine if it is feasible and useful to provide the new owner with the previous 12 months of utility bills.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Virginia Housing Commission for this study, upon request.

The Virginia Housing Commission shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2009, 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 2010 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Virginia Housing Commission intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a Senate or House 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.


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