SJ63: DRPT; study funding of high-speed and intercity passenger rail operations in State.


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 63
Requesting the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to study funding of high-speed and intercity passenger rail operations in the Commonwealth. Report.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 2010
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 9, 2010
 

WHEREAS, Virginia is in the process of establishing high-speed passenger rail service between Richmond and Washington and between Richmond and Hampton Roads to advance the federally designated Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor; and

WHEREAS, with its investment in new intercity passenger rail operations between Richmond and Lynchburg, Virginia became the 15th state to invest in such operations in the Northeast Corridor; and

WHEREAS, high-speed and intercity passenger rail service provides an alternative to the use of highways for travelers, especially intercity business travelers; and

WHEREAS, by decreasing use of highways, increased use of high-speed and intercity passenger rail service can reduce highway congestion and improve air quality; and

WHEREAS, increased use of high-speed and intercity passenger rail service can also stimulate the economy by creating new jobs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation be requested to study funding of high-speed and intercity passenger rail operations in the Commonwealth.

In conducting its study, the Department shall assess the most efficient and beneficial method by which such high-speed and intercity passenger rail operations should be funded.

Technical assistance shall be provided by the Office of the Virginia Secretary of Transportation. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department for this study, upon request.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2010, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and 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 no later than the first day of the 2011 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 63
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the House Committee on Rules
on March 4, 2010)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Miller, Y.B.)
Requesting the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to study funding of high-speed and intercity passenger rail operations in the Commonwealth. Report.

WHEREAS, Virginia is in the process of establishing high-speed passenger rail service between Richmond and Washington and between Richmond and Hampton Roads to advance the federally designated Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor; and

WHEREAS, with its investment in new intercity passenger rail operations between Richmond and Lynchburg, Virginia became the 15th state to invest in such operations in the Northeast Corridor; and

WHEREAS, high-speed and intercity passenger rail service provides an alternative to the use of highways for travelers, especially intercity business travelers; and

WHEREAS, by decreasing use of highways, increased use of high-speed and intercity passenger rail service can reduce highway congestion and improve air quality; and

WHEREAS, increased use of high-speed and intercity passenger rail service can also stimulate the economy by creating new jobs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation be requested to study funding of high-speed and intercity passenger rail operations in the Commonwealth.

In conducting its study, the Department shall assess the most efficient and beneficial method by which such high-speed and intercity passenger rail operations should be funded.

Technical assistance shall be provided by the Office of the Virginia Secretary of Transportation. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department for this study, upon request.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2010, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and 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 no later than the first day of the 2011 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 63
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Rules
on February 12, 2010)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Miller, Y.B.)
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study funding of high-speed and intercity passenger rail operations in the Commonwealth. Report.

WHEREAS, Virginia is in the process of establishing high-speed passenger rail service between Richmond and Washington and between Richmond and Hampton Roads to advance the federally designated Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor; and

WHEREAS, with its investment in new intercity passenger rail operations between Richmond and Lynchburg, Virginia became the 15th state to invest in such operations in the Northeast Corridor; and

WHEREAS, high-speed and intercity passenger rail service provides an alternative to the use of highways for travelers, especially intercity business travelers; and

WHEREAS, by decreasing use of highways, increased use of high-speed and intercity passenger rail service can reduce highway congestion and improve air quality; and

WHEREAS, increased use of high-speed and intercity passenger rail service can also stimulate the economy by creating new jobs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study funding of high-speed and intercity passenger rail operations in the Commonwealth. The joint subcommittee shall consist of 10 members appointed as follows: four members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and six members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates. The joint subcommittee shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership.

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall assess the most efficient and beneficial method by which such high-speed and intercity passenger rail operations should be funded.

Administrative staff support shall be provided by the Office of the Clerk of the Senate. Legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the joint subcommittee shall be provided by the Division of Legislative Services. Technical assistance shall be provided by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the Office of the Virginia Secretary of Transportation. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee for this study, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall be limited to four meetings for the 2010 interim, and the direct costs of this study shall not exceed $10,000 without approval as set out in this resolution. Approval for unbudgeted nonmember-related expenses shall require the written authorization of the chairman of the joint subcommittee and the respective Clerk. If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required.

No recommendation of the joint subcommittee shall be adopted if a majority of the Senate members or a majority of the House members appointed to the joint subcommittee (i) vote against the recommendation and (ii) vote for the recommendation to fail notwithstanding the majority vote of the joint subcommittee.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2010, 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 2011 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the joint subcommittee intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a document. The executive summary and report, if any, 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.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may approve or disapprove expenditures for this study, extend or delay the period for the conduct of the study, or authorize additional meetings during the 2010 interim.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 63
Offered January 13, 2010
Prefiled January 12, 2010
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the expansion and funding of high-speed passenger rail service in the Commonwealth. Report.
Patron-- Miller, Y.B.

Referred to Committee on Rules

WHEREAS, Virginia is in the process of establishing high-speed passenger rail service between Richmond and Washington and between Richmond and Hampton Roads; and

WHEREAS, high-speed passenger rail service provides an alternative to the use of highways for travelers, especially inter-city business travelers; and

WHEREAS, by decreasing use of highways, increased use of high-speed passenger rail service can reduce highway congestion and improve air quality; and

WHEREAS, increased use of high-speed passenger rail service can also stimulate the economy by creating new jobs; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the expansion and funding of high-speed passenger rail service in the Commonwealth. The joint subcommittee shall consist of 10 members appointed as follows: four members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and six members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates. The joint subcommittee shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership.

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall assess the desirability and possibility of expanding high-speed passenger rail service connecting the larger metropolitan areas of the Commonwealth. The joint subcommittee shall consider which metropolitan areas might benefit most from such service, the relative priority of competing rail corridors where such service might be provided, and the most efficient and beneficial method by which such service should be funded.

Administrative staff support shall be provided by the Office of the Clerk of the Senate. Legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the joint subcommittee shall be provided by the Division of Legislative Services. Technical assistance shall be provided by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the Office of the Virginia Secretary of Transportation. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee for this study, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall be limited to four meetings for the 2010 interim, and the direct costs of this study shall not exceed $ 10,000 without approval as set out in this resolution. Approval for unbudgeted nonmember-related expenses shall require the written authorization of the chairman of the joint subcommittee and the respective Clerk. If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required.

No recommendation of the joint subcommittee shall be adopted if a majority of the Senate members or a majority of the House members appointed to the joint subcommittee (i) vote against the recommendation, and (ii) vote for the recommendation to fail notwithstanding the majority vote of the joint subcommittee.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2010, 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 2011 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the joint subcommittee intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a document. The executive summary and report, if any, 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.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may approve or disapprove expenditures for this study, extend or delay the period for the conduct of the study, or authorize additional meetings during the 2010 interim.