General Assembly>Division of Legislative Services>Publications>Session Summaries>2005>Study Resolutions

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Study Resolutions

Passed

P HJ551

Highway noises abatement. Establishes a six-member joint subcommittee to conduct a two-year study to identify materials, technologies, techniques, actions, and strategies related to both highway planning and construction in order to identify those that will provide the greatest amount of noise abatement for the lowest cost, and the situations in which each of them may best be employed.
Patron - Frederick

P HJ573

Criminal street gangs. Directs the Virginia State Crime Commission to study criminal street gang conduct and characteristics for the purpose of reducing the burden on prosecutors by producing a formal listing of gang names coupled with conduct and characteristics unique to those gangs.
Patron - Albo

P HJ588

Stem cell research. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study medical, ethical, and scientific issues relating to stem cell research conducted in the Commonwealth. The joint subcommittee shall examine the medical, ethical, and scientific policy implications of stem cell research, and the efficacy of research using both adult and embryonic stem cells.
Patron - Marshall, R.G.

P HJ598

Biodiesel fuel use and production. Requests the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry to study the use and production of biodiesel fuel in Virginia.
Patron - Parrish

P HJ625

Exploring offshore natural gas. Requests the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to study the possibility of exploring for natural gas in coastal areas of the Commonwealth. The Secretary shall include recommended legislation that could permit drilling for natural gas off the Commonwealth's coast.
Patron - Saxman

P HJ640

Funding options for Chesapeake Bay cleanup. Establishes an eight-member joint subcommittee to study options to provide a long-term funding source to clean up Virginia's polluted waters, including the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The six legislative members are the chairmen of the money committees and the chairmen of the committees of oversight in the House and Senate. The Secretary of Natural Resources and the Secretary of Agriculture or their designees serve as ex officio voting members.
Patron - Callahan

P HJ643

Land application of biosolids. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the land application of biosolids. The Commission shall evaluate (i) the current level of funding, staffing and resources available to the Virginia Department of Health for oversight and enforcement of the Virginia Biosolids Program; (ii) resources available to assist local governments with implementation of their biosolids inspection and monitoring authority; (iii) programs to ensure the proper training and support of local biosolids monitors; (iv) incentives to encourage sharing of information and resources among local governments, including the use of regional or multi-jurisdictional monitors; and (v) measures to encourage and assist coordination and communication between the Virginia Department of Health and local governments so as to ensure consistency and efficiency in complaint response and enforcement.
Patron - Hogan

P HJ646

Funding for the Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Fund. Requests the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program, with the assistance of the State Corporation Commission, the Office of the Attorney General, the State Workers' Compensation Commission, and other state agencies to develop recommendations for adequately funding the Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Fund.
Patron - Tata

P HJ656

Eliminate/consolidate taxes and fees that are inefficient to collect. Establishes a joint committee to study the taxes, assessments, and fees imposed by the Commonwealth that generate little revenue. The joint subcommittee is charged with examining if administrative costs can be reduced if smaller taxes and fees are consolidated into larger ones which can be collected more efficiently.
Patron - Spruill

P HJ657

"No wrong door" approach for long-term care services. Requests the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study a "no wrong door" approach for long-term care services in the Commonwealth.
Patron - Rust

P HJ664

Administration of local cigarette taxes. Requests that the Department of Taxation study the feasibility of establishing uniformity and consistency among Virginia's localities in the design and use of tax stamps as evidence of payment of local cigarette taxes by tobacco wholesalers.
Patron - Abbitt

P HJ668

Costs of college textbooks and textbook purchasing practices of public institutions of higher education. Requests the State Council of Higher Education to study the rising costs of college textbooks and textbook purchasing practices of public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth. The State Council for Higher Education must submit its executive summary and report of its findings and recommendations to the 2006 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
Patron - Oder

P HJ685

Private youth and single family group homes. Creates a joint subcommittee to study private youth and single family group homes in the Commonwealth. The joint subcommittee shall (i) analyze the licensing requirements and enforcement of licensing standards, the need to notify localities of licensing violations in those localities, the rationale for and impact of concentrations of homes in certain communities, the appropriate siting requirements for such homes, and other issues that affect the integration of youth group home residents into the community; and (ii) study the excessive concentration of single family group homes in certain neighborhoods, the adverse effects of this concentration on the residents of single family group homes, the adverse effects of this concentration on those neighborhoods, and feasible regulatory alternatives that would result in more appropriate locations of single family group homes for the mutual benefit of the residents thereof and the affected neighborhoods. This resolution incorporates HJR 703.
Patron - Hall

P HJ686

Common interest communities. Requests the Virginia Real Estate Board to review the study performed by the Old Dominion University Center for Real Estate and Economic Development on common interest communities, which was funded through a grant from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation and the Virginia Real Estate Board. That study includes an analysis of the adequacy of training of, and disclosure of financial information to consumers by, financially compensated professional managers of condominium associations, property owners' associations, and other similar common interest communities. The Board shall report its findings to the Governor and General Assembly by the first day of the 2006 Session of the General Assembly.
Patron - Suit

P HJ689

Cost-effective toll collection. Directs the Joint Commission on Technology and Science to study technologies available for cost-effective toll collection.
Patron - Nixon

P HJ704

Medical malpractice. Continues the Joint Subcommittee Studying Risk Management Plans for Physicians and Hospitals to study various aspects of medical malpractice in Virginia. The resolution also requests the State Corporation Commission to assess the medical malpractice rates for certain medical specialties including neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, emergency medicine, and anesthesiology in Virginia under the current regulatory structure and determine the probable effects of the availability and affordability of medical malpractice insurance for these specialties if Virginia requires prior approval of the rates rather than continuing to regulate these rates under existing file and use provisions. This resolution is identical to SJR 394.
Patron - Athey

P HJ707

Two-term Governor. Continues and renames the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Appropriate Balance of Power Between the Legislative and Executive Branches to Support a Two-Term Governor in the Commonwealth as the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Appropriate Balance of Power Between the Legislative and Executive Branches. During its second year of study, the joint subcommittee will continue to review proposals to (i) lengthen the session to 60 days in the odd-numbered years, (ii) shift the budget cycle, (iii) provide for annual budgets, (iv) create an independent economic and revenue forecasting commission, (v) allow for legislative veto or suspension of administrative regulations, (vi) increase legislative oversight of the boards of visitors of the public institutions of higher education and the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and (vii) establish an appropriate balance of powers between the legislative and executive branches as the joint subcommittee deems appropriate. The joint subcommittee must submit an executive summary of its findings and recommendations to the 2006 Session of the General Assembly.
Patron - Landes

P HJ710

200th anniversary celebration of the birth of Robert E. Lee. Establishes a joint subcommittee to plan and coordinate the 200th anniversary celebration of the birth of Robert E. Lee. This resolution is identical to SJR 382.
Patron - Cline

P HJ713

Workforce development and training. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study the need for greater consolidation or coordination of the workforce development and training resources available in the Commonwealth.
Patron - Byron

P HJ747

Relocating the Museum and White House of the Confederacy. Establishes a joint subcommittee to examine the cost and feasibility of relocating the Museum and White House of the Confederacy.
Patron - Janis

P HJ790

Memorial commission; civil rights. Expresses the General Assembly's support for the establishment by the Governor of a memorial commission to pay tribute to the civil rights movement in Virginia.
Patron - Bryant

P HJ817

Virginia Law Enforcement Memorial. Supports the establishment of a memorial commission by the Governor to pay tribute to Virginia's first responders killed in the line of duty.
Patron - Reese

P SJ273

Prisoner reentry. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study the Commonwealth's program for prisoner reentry to society. In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall continue the work of the Prisoner Reentry State Policy Academy established by the National Governors Association in identifying and developing strategies to address key needs and overcome barriers for offenders, prior to and upon leaving prison, to reduce the incidence of reincarceration and increase their successful social adaptation and integration into their communities.
Patron - Puller

P SJ324

Patients found not guilty by reason of insanity and persons found incompetent to stand trial. Directs the Joint Commission on Health Care, through its Behavioral Health Care Subcommittee, to study the needs of patients found not guilty by reason of insanity and persons found incompetent to stand trial. The objectives of the study include (i) determining the appropriate treatment of acquittees; (ii) reviewing and revising diagnostic categories that are amenable to treatment and therefore eligible for inclusion as a possible NGRI defense; (iii) examining discharge alternatives that will expedite return to the community as well as free up acute care psychiatric beds; (iv) exploring the advisability and feasibility of coordination between the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, local community services boards and the criminal justice system when an acquittee violates conditions of release that are not related to a psychiatric illness and therefore not appropriate for rehospitalization; and (v) determine the needs and impact of persons found incompetent to stand trial on the mental health state system.
Patron - Puller

P SJ330

Regulation of the towing and recovery industry. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study regulation of the vehicle towing and recovery industry by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Patron - O'Brien

P SJ331

Virginia's adoption laws and policies. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study Virginia's adoption laws and policies. In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall do a comprehensive review of Virginia's adoption laws, with special emphasis paid to the recognition and effect given to foreign adoption decrees, and determine whether such laws can be rewritten and reorganized to give clear and consistent guidance to persons using the laws. This resolution incorporates SJR 392.
Patron - O'Brien

P SJ336

Clerks' offices. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study the operations of circuit court clerks' offices.
Patron - Mims

P SJ360

Regulatory burden on Virginia manufacturers. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the comparative burden of regulatory compliance on Virginia's manufacturing sector. The Commission shall evaluate the total costs on Virginia manufacturers of complying with state and federal regulations; the burden imposed on Virginia manufacturers compared to the burden imposed on other sectors of Virginia's economy; and the burden imposed on Virginia manufacturers compared to the regulatory compliance burdens on manufacturers in other mid-Atlantic and Southern states.
Patron - Wagner

P SJ361

Continuing the joint subcommittee studying the needs of the manufacturing sector and the future of manufacturing in Virginia. Continues for one year the joint subcommittee established in 2004 by SJR 64 to study manufacturing needs and the future of manufacturing in Virginia. The joint subcommittee is directed to (i) determine how the manufacturing sector's needs may be addressed quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively and (ii) consider what role state and local governments should have in this endeavor.
Patron - Wagner

P SJ367

Study of incentives for forestland owners. Continues the Board of Forestry's study of incentives to private landowners to hold and preserve their forestlands.
Patron - Ticer

P SJ371

Voting equipment study; additional members. Adds two nonlegislative, nonvoting citizen members with computer security expertise to the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Certification Process for Voting Equipment and Matters Related to the Performance and Proper Deployment of Voting Equipment.
Patron - Whipple

P SJ376

Virginia Housing Commission; exempting nonprofit organizations that construct housing for low-income persons from certain zoning provisions. Directs the Virginia Housing Commission to study the feasibility of exempting nonprofit organizations that construct housing for low-income persons from zoning provisions that limit how and when property may be subdivided into individual lots.
Patron - Houck

P SJ380

Lead poisoning prevention. Continues the Joint Subcommittee Studying Lead Poisoning Prevention for one year, with authority to hold two meetings. In conducting its 2005 study, the joint subcommittee will monitor the evolution of the data-sharing partnership established in § 32.1-127.1:04; monitor the completion of the reference database of statewide health-related data elements required by SB 565 of 2004; examine issues relating to lead poisoning among immigrant and adopted children; and seek to assist the Department of Health and the Department of Housing and Community Development in every appropriate way in maintaining federal funding.
Patron - Lambert

P SJ382

200th anniversary celebration of the birth of Robert E. Lee. Establishes a joint subcommittee to plan and coordinate the 200th anniversary celebration of the birth of Robert E. Lee. This resolution is identical to HJR 710.
Patron - Hanger

P SJ393

Local firearms hunting ordinances. Continues the 2004 study requesting the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to study local firearms hunting ordinances. The agency was requested to examine, among other issues, how these ordinances can be made more uniform and consistent across the Commonwealth, with particular attention paid to the development and use of model ordinances that would lead to an easier understanding by the public of the hunting laws.
Patron - Stolle

P SJ394

Medical malpractice. Continues the Joint Subcommittee Studying Risk Management Plans for Physicians and Hospitals to study various aspects of medical malpractice in Virginia. This resolution is identical to HJR 704.
Patron - Newman

P SJ403

Industry certifications and state licensure tests. Requests the Board of Education to study the permanent use of industry certifications and state licensure tests for the award of verified units of credit in the public schools. In conducting its study, the Board of Education shall (i) examine the suitability of additional industry testing programs that could be used as substitute tests for students to earn verified units of credit for graduation; (ii) determine how to increase the emphasis on career and technical education for creating greater equity and applicability to the verified credit system, including, but not limited to, consideration of increasing the number of potential verified credits obtained through industry certifications; and (iii) consider these issues as it reviews and amends the Regulations Establishing Standards of Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia, commonly known as the Standards of Accreditation.
Patron - Wagner

P SJ451

Constitutional criminal issues. Directs the Virginia State Crime Commission to study the implications for Virginia of recent United States Supreme Court cases which raise issues on the constitutionality of crime lab certificates and uncontested affidavits used at trial and opinions that call into question the enhancement of sentences on the basis of facts that have not been found by a jury.
Patron - Mims

Failed

F HJ572

Chartered institutions. Creates a one-year, 13-member joint subcommittee to study the feasibility and appropriateness of granting chartered institution status to certain public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth. The joint subcommittee is to consider, among other things, (i) chartered institution status as articulated in HB 1359 and SB 638 (2004); (ii) the impact of similar grants of institutional flexibility in other states; (iii) the potential fiscal and policy implications of such grants on Virginia's system of public higher education as a whole; and (iv) such other matters as it deems appropriate.
Patron - Tata

F HJ576

Student attendance. Requests the Department of Education to study the correlation between student attendance and achievement in the Commonwealth and methods of improving attendance.
Patron - Dillard

F HJ583

Joint Commission on Health Care be directed to study statewide surveillance of nosocomial infection rates. Directs the Joint Commission on Health Care to study statewide surveillance of nosocomial infection rates. In conducting its study, the Commission shall (i) consult with the Virginia Department of Health regarding the findings of its recent study pertaining to nosocomial infections and mandatory reporting and disclosure of hospital infection rates, including, but not limited to, the findings and recommendations for prevention by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (ii) review and consider mandatory reporting and disclosure laws of other states and their adaptability in Virginia; (iii) determine the feasibility of mandatory reporting and disclosure of hospital infection rates in the Commonwealth, and the financial impact of such requirements on consumers and the public and private health care sectors; (iv) recommend, in consultation with the Virginia Health Department's advisory group on hospital infections, a means by which current surveillance processes may be standardized to provide meaningful information concerning hospital infection rates to the public; and (v) consider such other related issues as the Commission may deem appropriate to minimize nosocomial infection rates in the Commonwealth. The Commission shall submit its findings and report to the 2006 Session of the General Assembly.
Patron - Purkey

F HJ587

Medical errors by health care providers. Requests the Board of Health Professions to study the prevalence of medical errors by health care providers in Virginia. In conducting its study, the Board of Health Professions shall study the current prevalence of medical errors by health care providers in Virginia, the potential reduction of such errors that might result from the provision of effective statutory or regulatory protections and safeguards for medical professionals who report such medical errors, and the efforts of other states to address the issues of medical errors and protection of reporters and make recommendations that address these issues and propose such legislation as may be needed to implement these recommendations.
Patron - Landes

F HJ589

Relationship between obesity and school lunch program. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study the relationship between obesity and the school lunch program. In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall (i) determine the number of public schools participating in the school breakfast and lunch programs, including the reasons for the nonparticipation of identified public schools; (ii) ascertain the number of school-age children by school division who are overweight or obese and have related health problems; (iii) review the requirements of the school breakfast and lunch program and plans among participating school divisions to revise such programs to increase healthy food options; (iv) examine the benefits of competitive foods and beverages sold in public schools, and the relationship between the health and physical education curriculum, public health policies, social, economic and cultural influences, and media messages and the incidence of overweight and obese students in the public schools. The joint subcommittee shall provide opportunities for the participation of the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Virginia Medical Society, the Old Dominion Medical Society, parents, students, the education community, business and industry, and other interested parties to share their perspectives on the issues, problems, and solutions related to childhood obesity. The joint subcommittee must submit an executive summary and report of its findings and recommendations to the 2006 Session of the General Assembly.
Patron - Marshall, R.G.

F HJ596

Virginia Housing Development Authority; comprehensive impact of residential overcrowding on localities. Requests the Virginia Housing Development Authority to study the comprehensive impact of residential overcrowding on localities.
Patron - Parrish

F HJ597

Economic impact of foreign-born residents in Planning District 8. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the economic impact of Virginia's foreign-born population residing within Planning District 8. This study will build upon a prior JLARC study on the acclimation of Virginia's foreign-born population by focusing on the region where over two-thirds of the population is foreign-born.
Patron - Parrish

F HJ617

Virginia Housing Development Authority; availability of affordable housing for active duty military personnel and their families living in Virginia. Requests the Virginia Housing Development Authority to study the availability of affordable housing for active duty military personnel and their families living in Virginia.
Patron - Baskerville

F HJ618

Immunity from liability during emergencies. Requests the Virginia Department of Emergency Management to study whether to grant immunity to emergency personnel for damage caused by their livestock and pets during an emergency or a disaster.
Patron - Orrock

F HJ630

Compensation and benefit plans for state employees. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study the Commonwealth's compensation and benefit plans for state employees. In conducting its study, the subcommittee shall examine the issues of salary compression and inversion and evaluate the Commonwealth's total compensation package, including employee benefits, personnel and management policies and procedures, and formulate recommendations for improvements. The joint subcommittee shall further examine the advisability of establishing the joint subcommittee as a legislative commission of indefinite duration.
Patron - Hall

F HJ639

Constitutional officers. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study the operations, functions, and funding of constitutional officers. The joint subcommittee shall address (i) the current benefits provided by each constitutional officer to the Commonwealth and its localities, (ii) whether the benefits outweigh the costs, (iii) whether constitutional officers should be elected or appointed, (iv) whether the duties of constitutional officers are appropriate or duplicative in localities with different population sizes, (v) whether alternative methods of State financing for these officers would be feasible and advisable, and (vi) such other related issues as it deems appropriate.
Patron - Welch

F HJ651

Voting equipment study; additional member. Adds one nonlegislative, nonvoting citizen member with computer programming expertise to the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Certification Process for Voting Equipment and Matters Related to the Performance and Proper Deployment of Voting Equipment.
Patron - Hugo

F HJ654

Privatization of highway rest stops. Requests the Virginia Department of Transportation to study the costs and benefits of allowing or recruiting private travel-oriented businesses to locate at or associate with highway rest stops.
Patron - Gear

F HJ655

Fiscal autonomy for elected school boards. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study implications of granting fiscal autonomy to elected school boards in the Commonwealth. In conducting its study, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall (i) examine state constitutional and statutory issues regarding school board supervisory authority, (ii) study the respective roles of local school boards and the relevant local governing body in delivering and funding public education, and fiscal authority models in other states; and (iii) consider such other issues as it deems appropriate. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission must submit an executive summary of its findings and recommendations to the 2006 Session of the General Assembly.
Patron - Spruill

F HJ658

Menhaden fishing. Requests that a joint subcommittee be established to study the most appropriate means of regulating the fishing of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
Patron - Purkey

F HJ660

Virginia Transportation Priority and Funding Commission. Creates a 30-member Commission to study transportation needs and the resources required to meet them. This resolution has been incorporated into HJR 742.
Patron - Reese

F HJ661

Commissioners of Revenue, Treasurers and Directors of Finance. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the functions and operations of the Commissioners of Revenue, Treasurers, and Directors of Finance. The study shall address (i) the benefits provided by the three local financial officers to the Commonwealth and its localities, (ii) whether the benefits outweigh the costs, (iii) whether alternative methods of State financing for these offices would be feasible and advisable, (iv) whether the State tax assistance function carried out by these local officers is valuable and cost-effective, and (v) such other related issues as it deems appropriate by the Commission.
Patron - Wardrup

F HJ662

Issues relating to transportation in the Commonwealth. Establishes a joint subcommittee to examine (i) whether the Commonwealth's current classification of roads into primary, secondary, and urban systems is the most suitable for addressing future transportation issues or should be replaced with a functional system that is based upon the usage of roads; (ii) whether the current statutory formula for allocating highway construction funds should be changed to better reflect transportation needs; (iii) the appropriate state and local roles in highway construction and maintenance and the revenue resources that are available to perform such roles; (iv) whether the scope of projects eligible to be built under the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 should be more targeted in scope than is currently provided for under the Act and whether the Act should be amended to include private funding requirements from private entities contracting with the government; (v) whether land use and transportation planning decisions should be more integrated and coordinated than they are presently provided for under law; (vi) the composition of the Commonwealth Transportation Board; and (vii) such other transportation-related matters as the joint subcommittee deems appropriate. The joint subcommittee shall develop recommendations directed at placing the Commonwealth in the best position for addressing future transportation issues and challenges. This resolution has been incorporated into HJR 742.
Patron - Wardrup

F HJ663

Construction of an eastern bypass around the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Establishes a 10-member joint subcommittee to conduct a one-year study of the feasibility of cooperating with Maryland and Washington, D.C. to plan the construction of an eastern bypass of I-95 from central Virginia to U.S. 50 in Maryland. This resolution has been incorporated into HJR 742.
Patron - Marrs

F HJ665

Capacity to meet educational standards. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to examine the capacity of the Commonwealth's public education system to meet the standards and requirements of the Standards of Quality, the Standards of Learning, the Standards of Accreditation, and the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). In conducting its study, JLARC shall, among other things, (i) examine the potential costs imposed by federal requirements for additional assessments, training and employment of highly qualified teachers and instructional paraprofessionals, and enhanced data collection and reporting systems; (ii) identify current federal, state, and local funding levels and the fiscal and personnel resources, programs, and conditions sufficient to enable each school and each student, including at-risk students, to meet the Standards of Quality, the Standards of Learning, the Standards of Accreditation, and NCLB; (iii) determine what additional funding and programmatic changes, if any, are required to build and maintain these resources, programs, and conditions; (iv) make recommendations regarding the effective application of existing resources; and (v) explore such other issues as it deems appropriate.
Patron - Dillard

F HJ666

Medical malpractice insurance rates. Requests the State Corporation Commission to study the implications of requiring that medical malpractice insurance rates for specific medical specialties be subject to prior approval by the Commission, and that loss experience from no state other than Virginia be considered in setting such rates.
Patron - Albo

F HJ671

Unnecessary government expenditures. Establishes an eight member joint subcommittee to study the reduction of unnecessary government expenditures.
Patron - Athey

F HJ672

Department of Medical Assistance Services' Medicaid-approved transportation vendors. Continues the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission study of pre-hospital emergency medical services in Virginia as set out in House Joint Resolution No. 133 (2004). The resolution adds to the list of objectives an examination of the needs and problems associated with the Department of Medical Assistance Services' Medicaid-approved vendors that transport patients for medical purposes such as dialysis.
Patron - Athey

F HJ679

HOPE Scholarship in Virginia. Requests the State Council of Higher Education (SCHEV) to study the feasibility and appropriateness of creating a program of student assistance in Virginia modeled after the Georgia HOPE Scholarship and Grant Program. In conducting its study, SCHEV shall consider, among other things, (i) the fiscal and educational impact of the HOPE initiative in Georgia; (ii) the implementation of similar initiatives, if any, in other states; (iii) Virginia's current financial aid programs and funding levels; (iv) potential revenue sources for a HOPE-modeled program in Virginia; and (v) such other issues as it deems appropriate.
Patron - Frederick

F HJ680

Virginia Housing Commission; feasibility of authorizing user fees for new single and multifamily residential construction projects. Directs the Virginia Housing Commission to study the feasibility of authorizing user fees for new single and multifamily residential construction projects.
Patron - Marshall, R.G.

F HJ681

Commission on Growth and Economic Development. Continues the Commission on Growth and Economic Development for one additional year and requires the Commission to study the feasibility of authorizing user fees for new single and multifamily residential construction projects.
Patron - Marshall, R.G.

F HJ683

Feasibility of participation in the I-SaveRx program. Directs the Joint Commission on Health Care to study the feasibility of participation by the Commonwealth in the I-SaveRx program.
Patron - Marshall, R.G.

F HJ687

State park along South Mayo and North Mayo Rivers. Requests the Department of Conservation and Recreation to study the feasibility of establishing a state park along the South Mayo and North Mayo Rivers in Henry County.
Patron - Armstrong

F HJ690

Desirability of using underground electrical transmission lines. Directs the Joint Legislative and Review Commission to study the desirability of using underground electrical transmission lines as an alternative to the overhead installation of such lines.
Patron - May

F HJ691

Use of biometric identifiers in connection with driver's licenses; report. Requests the Department of Motor Vehicles, in cooperation with the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of State Police, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Emergency Management, and all other interested state agencies to study the desirability and feasibility of the integration of biometric identifiers for Virginia driver's licenses and special identification cards.
Patron - May

F HJ696

Voluntary, public-private health insurance purchasing pool for small businesses. Requests the Secretary of Administration to prepare a program design for a voluntary, public-private health insurance purchasing pool for businesses with 50 or fewer employees. The Secretary of Administration is directed to work with representatives of health insurers, insurance agents, health care providers, and small businesses in developing the program design. This project is a recommendation of the Lieutenant Governor's Commission on Small Business Health Insurance Costs.
Patron - Brink

F HJ703

Single family group homes. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study the effects of excessive concentration of single family group homes, and to determine alternatives which would result in greater dispersion and integration of such facilities into society. In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall study the excessive concentration of single family group homes in certain neighborhoods, the adverse effects of this concentration on the residents of single family group homes, the adverse effects of this concentration on those neighborhoods, and workable regulatory alternatives that would result in more appropriate locations of single family group homes for the mutual benefit of the residents thereof and the affected neighborhoods. This resolution has been incorporated into HJR 685.
Patron - Melvin

F HJ705

Prior approval of medical malpractice insurance rates. Requests the State Corporation Commission to study whether Virginia should require prior approval of medical malpractice liability insurance rates. Currently, such rates are subject to "file and use" rules. The study is to estimate the likely effect of requiring prior approval on such insurance rates and premiums and to assess the likely effects of requiring prior approval of such rates on the availability as well as the affordability of such insurance. The study is to be completed by June 1, 2005.
Patron - Baskerville

F HJ714

Contents of driver's licenses and special identification cards. Requests the Department of Motor Vehicles to study the desirability and feasibility of incorporating biological trait information in or on Virginia driver's licenses and special identification cards.
Patron - Byron

F HJ715

JLARC study of mass transit in Northern Virginia. Directs the Joint Legislative and Review Commission to collect and analyze data to support the reorganization and restructuring of mass transit programs serving Northern Virginia. This resolution has been incorporated into HJR 742.
Patron - Lingamfelter

F HJ719

Virginia Housing Commission; local incentives to developers to preserve affordable single and multifamily housing. Directs the Virginia Housing Commission to study the authority of localities to provide incentives to developers to preserve the supply of affordable single and multifamily housing.
Patron - Scott, J.M.

F HJ742

Free Market Ideas in Transportation Commission. Establishes the Commission on Transportation Needs in the Commonwealth to study a list of issues associated with promoting a more efficient transportation system for the Commonwealth. This resolution incorporates HJR 660, HJR 662, HJR 663, HJR 715, HJR 744, HJR 772, and HJR 791.
Patron - Wardrup

F HJ743

Homestead exemptions and alternatives for tax relief for the elderly and disabled. Calls for a one-year joint subcommittee, consisting of eight legislators, three nonlegislative citizen members and the Tax Commissioner, to review the current homestead exemptions and alternatives for real property tax relief.
Patron - Rapp

F HJ744

Virginia Transportation Priority and Funding Commission. Establishes the Virginia Transportation Priority and Funding Commission. In conducting its study, the Commission shall consider the most effective use of transportation funds to anticipate and correct existing and future transportation funding deficiencies. The Commission shall also (i) examine highway, bridge, mass transit, rail, and other transportation needs of the Commonwealth; (ii) recommend, on the basis of its findings, first tier needs which shall include current transportation needs and second tier needs which shall include transportation needs to be addressed by 2020; (iii) review Virginia's bonding capacity under the Constitution as well as other potential funding sources and recommend a mix of revenue bonds, general obligation bonds, partnerships, cash investments, revenue sources, etc., to address these needs; and (iv) submit a report concerning its findings and recommendations regarding the first and second tier transportation needs of the Commonwealth, and first tier funding sources. This resolution has been incorporated into HJR 742.
Patron - Phillips

F HJ745

Gun violence in the Richmond metropolitan area. Creates a joint subcommittee to study gun violence in the Richmond metropolitan area and its impact on public safety, education, and economic development. The joint subcommittee is tasked with making recommendations to curb violence that involves the use of a firearm.
Patron - Jones, D.C.

F HJ746

Regulation of the towing and recovery industry. Establishes an eight-member joint subcommittee to study regulation of the vehicle towing and recovery industry by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
Patron - Bland

F HJ748

Driver's license without proof of legal presence in the United States. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the feasibility of establishing a new class of driver's license for drivers without proof of legal presence in the United States.
Patron - Ebbin

F HJ749

Detention and diversion programs. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study programs for probation and parole technical violators.
Patron - McDougle

F HJ763

Virginia's A. L. Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership (VPMEP). Requests the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to study ways to strengthen the affiliation and partnership of Virginia's A. L. Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership (VPMEP) with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University or another appropriate institution or state agency, with the principal office of VPMEP remaining in the Martinsville area.
Patron - Armstrong

F HJ772

Use of railroad corridors for multimodal transportation purposes. Establishes a six-member joint subcommittee to study use of the Commonwealth's active and abandoned railroad corridors for multimodal transportation purposes. This resolution has been incorporated into HJR 742.
Patron - Parrish

F HJ791

Cost overruns in VDOT construction contracts. Establishes a six-member joint subcommittee to study cost overruns in VDOT construction contracts. This resolution has been incorporated into HJR 742.
Patron - Marshall, R.G.

F HJ816

Virginia Community College System. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study the feasibility and appropriateness of granting certain colleges in the Virginia Community College System the authority to confer four-year degrees. Report.
Patron - Marshall, D.W.

F SJ281

Insurance costs relating to the practice of medicine and the costs of prescription medicines and health insurance premiums. Establishes a joint subcommittee to examine (i) the costs of medical malpractice insurance in the Commonwealth, particularly insurance premiums or rates for obstetricians/gynecologists; (ii) the costs of health insurance and prescription drugs; and (iii) causes for the increase in such insurance and medical costs, including studying whether any person, entity, or business is earning an excessive profit in regard to such insurance and medical costs. The joint subcommittee shall develop recommendations for controlling the costs of medical malpractice insurance, health insurance, and prescription drugs, including recommendations for corrective measures in any case where the joint subcommittee determines that excessive profit is directly related to such costs.
Patron - Hawkins

F SJ282

Issues relating to transportation in the Commonwealth. Establishes a seventeen-member joint subcommittee to examine (i) whether the Commonwealth's current classification of roads into primary, secondary, and urban systems is the most suitable for addressing future transportation issues or should be replaced with a functional system that is based upon the usage of roads; (ii) whether the current statutory formula for allocating highway construction funds should be changed to better reflect transportation needs; (iii) the appropriate state and local roles in highway construction and maintenance and the revenue resources that are available to perform such roles; (iv) whether the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 is making a significant difference in meeting Virginia's transportation needs, is compatible with state and federal transportation policies, and is attracting private capital; (v) whether land use and transportation planning decisions should be more effectively coordinated than is presently provided for under law; (vi) the composition of the Commonwealth Transportation Board; (vii) whether transit services can be expanded to match the annual increase in vehicle miles traveled to lessen the stress on Virginia's roads; (viii) solutions for long-term sustainable funding of transportation maintenance and construction; and (ix) such other transportation-related matters as the joint subcommittee deems appropriate.
Patron - Hawkins

F SJ283

Reducing motor vehicle emissions. Requests the Department of Environmental Quality to study the costs and benefits of adopting air pollution standards for automobiles in Northern Virginia.
Patron - Puller

F SJ287

At-risk youth served in out-of-state facilities. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study the feasibility, advisability, and cost effectiveness of providing in-state residential treatment for troubled and at-risk youth now served in out-of-state facilities.
Patron - Miller

F SJ302

Effect of detention on truancy. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study the effect of detention on truancy. In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall (i) review the statutory provisions pertaining to truancy and the disposition of truants in the Commonwealth; (ii) review the findings and recommendations of previous legislative and current national reports concerning the etiology and prevention of truancy; (iii) determine the number of truants and identify the prevailing reasons for chronic absenteeism among truants in Virginia; (iv) examine the various truancy interventions used in the Commonwealth and other states; (v) evaluate the effectiveness of detention programs on truancy prevention and in redirecting truants to more productive lifestyles; (vi) recommend feasible and appropriate alternatives for truancy prevention; and (vii) consider such related matters as may be necessary to satisfy the objectives of this resolution. The joint subcommittee shall submit an executive summary of its findings and recommendations to the 2006 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
Patron - Miller

F SJ317

Mechanisms to promote collaborative arrangements between primary care physicians and oral health professionals to ensure holistic health care. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study mechanisms to promote collaborative arrangements between primary care physicians and oral health professionals to ensure holistic health care. In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall (i) identify and review collaborative arrangements between primary care physicians and oral health professionals, in and out of state; (ii) determine the types of health care services rendered through these collaborative arrangements; (iii) evaluate the need for dental insurance in Virginia, especially such insurance for the working poor and middle-income persons; (iv) identify, to the extent possible, the health problems of Virginians resulting from or related to untreated oral disease; (v) determine which health insurance providers in the Commonwealth offer plans that integrate traditional health insurance and dental insurance plans, and provide coverage for services rendered through collaborative arrangements between primary care physicians and oral health professionals; and (vi) recommend mechanisms to promote collaborative arrangements between primary care physicians and oral health professionals to ensure holistic health care and adequate insurance coverage. The joint subcommittee must submit an executive summary of its findings and recommendations to the 2006 Session of the General Assembly. This resolution was considered by the Joint Subcommittee Studying Access to and Costs of Oral Health Care.
Patron - Marsh

F SJ318

Moratorium on the death penalty. Creates a joint subcommittee to study establishing a moratorium on the death penalty. The joint subcommittee shall examine, among other issues it deems appropriate, (i) the administration of criminal justice in Virginia to determine the extent to which the process has failed resulting in wrongful executions of innocent persons; (ii) issues concerning the death penalty including disparity, fairness, equity, due process, competence of counsel for capital defendants, and limitations on the introduction of newly discovered and possibly exculpatory evidence; (iii) the execution of individuals who were juveniles at the time of their offense, and (iv) issues involved in imposing a moratorium. The joint subcommittee shall submit its findings and recommendations to the 2006 Session of the General Assembly.
Patron - Marsh

F SJ325

Unfunded liabilities of the Commonwealth. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study the unfunded liabilities of the Commonwealth and their effect on the Commonwealth's budget, and to make recommendations as to future funding.
Patron - Stosch

F SJ334

Wind energy development. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study wind energy development in the Commonwealth.
Patron - Hanger

F SJ343

Tree-related measures in Clean Air Act state implementation plans to avoid loss of future federal transportation funds. Requests that the Department of Environmental Quality, in consultation with local governments and appropriate state, regional, and federal air quality and natural resource management agencies study the effect of urban trees and native forests on ambient ozone levels and other air pollutants, as well as the feasibility of including tree-related measures in state implementation plans for managing air quality to reduce health risks and avoid loss of future federal transportation funds.
Patron - Mims

F SJ365

Direct contribution retirement alternative. Creates a joint subcommittee to study the costs and benefits to the Commonwealth and eligible employees in establishing a direct contribution retirement alternative to the existing Virginia Retirement System.
Patron - Cuccinelli

F SJ366

Funding and promotion of children's hearing aids. Establishes a joint subcommittee to study the funding and promotion of children's hearing aids. In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall assess current efforts and recommend new methods to promote and publicize the Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority (ATLFA) and the Consumer Services Fund (CSF) to parents of children determined to be born with a hearing deficiency discovered under the early identification and intervention program. The subcommittee shall determine the costs to insurance companies that would result from a mandate to supply hearing aids to children up to age six. Further, the subcommittee shall assess whether individual case management services should be added to the early identification program in order to ensure that each child actually receives appropriate hearing aids. Case management services to be considered shall include, but not be limited to, the identification of available public and private resources or benefits, and an opt-out provision for parents who do not wish for their children to receive such services. The joint subcommittee shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2005, and submit an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2006 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
Patron - Ticer

F SJ370

Virginia Housing Commission; notification and right of first refusal to local housing authorities and nonprofit housing organizations upon intended sale of multifamily properties. Directs the Virginia Housing Commission to study the feasibility of requiring the owner of an existing multifamily housing property to notify the housing authority and nonprofit housing organization, if any, in the locality in which the property is located of the intended sale and to provide the authority or nonprofit housing organization with a right of first refusal for the purchase of the property.
Patron - Whipple

F SJ383

Elimination of the tangible personal property tax on personal-use passenger cars, motorcycles, and pickup or panel trucks. Establishes a joint subcommittee to examine the most efficient and equitable way to eliminate the tangible personal property tax on the first $20,000 of value of personal-use passenger cars, motorcycles, and pickup or panel trucks. The joint subcommittee shall develop recommendations for eliminating the tax that will provide a replacement for the revenues estimated to be received by local governments.
Patron - Hanger

F SJ387

F SJ392

F SJ396

Effect of new overtime regulations on employees in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Requests the Virginia Employment Commission, with the assistance of the Department of Labor and Industry, to study the impact of the overtime compensation regulations promulgated by the U. S. Department of Labor effective August 23, 2004, on employees in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Patron - Miller

F SJ397

Privatization efforts of the Virginia Department of Transportation. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the impact of the Virginia Department of Transportation's privatization efforts on female and minority employees of the agency and small, women- and minority-owned businesses.
Patron - Miller

F SJ400

F SJ402

Comprehensive study of best educational practices and programs. Requests the Department of Education to conduct a comprehensive study of best educational practices and programs for use in public schools. In conducting its study, the Department shall (i) ascertain the best educational practices and programs employed by school divisions to increase the academic achievement of at-risk students; (ii) review the reports of other states pertaining to best educational practices and programs for use with at-risk students to identify and evaluate those practices and programs, including school reform models, that demonstrate success in raising the academic performance of at-risk students; and (iii) determine the costs of implementing successful best practices and programs identified by the Department. The Department of Education must submit an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations to the 2006 Session of the General Assembly.
Patron - Locke

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