Bill Text: VA HB1424 | 2020 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: American Revolutionary 250 Commission; established, membership, report, sunset provision.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-2)
Status: (Passed) 2020-04-09 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0914) [HB1424 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-HB1424-Comm_Sub.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 25 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 11, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2544 through 2.2-2549, as follows:
§2.2-2544. Virginia Revolutionary 250 Commission; purpose.
The Virginia Revolutionary 250 Commission (the Commission) is established as an advisory commission within the executive branch of state government.
The purpose of the Commission is to plan, develop, and perform programs and activities to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the independence of the United States.
§2.2-2545. Membership; terms; quorum; meetings.
A. The Commission shall have a total membership of 25 members that shall consist of four legislative members, 16 nonlegislative citizen members, and five ex officio members. Members shall be appointed as follows:
1. Two members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules;
2. Two 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;
3. One representative from each of the following: the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, the primary state agency and fiscal agent; the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, the primary nonstate agency; Gunston Hall, the primary representative of Virginia historic homes and related sites; and the American Battlefield Trust, the secretariat of the National Semiquincentennial Commission;
4. Six members appointed by the Governor from a list of 10 provided by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation; and
5. Six members appointed by the Governor from a list of 10 provided by the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.
The Secretary of Education, the Librarian of Virginia, the Director of the Department of Historic Resources, the Executive Director of Virginia Humanities, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Virginia Tourism Authority, or their designees, shall serve as ex officio members with voting privileges. Nonlegislative citizen members of the Commission shall be citizens of the Commonwealth.
B. Legislative members and ex officio members of the Commission shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for the duration of the Commission's activities. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. Legislative members may be reappointed. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
C. The Commission shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
§2.2-2546. Compensation; expenses.
Legislative members of the Commission shall receive such compensation as provided in §30-19.12. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825. Compensation to members of the General Assembly for attendance at official meetings of the Commission shall be paid by the offices of the Clerk of the House of Delegates or Clerk of the Senate, as applicable. Reimbursement for the reasonable and necessary expenses of nonlegislative citizen members of the Commission shall be paid by the Secretary of Education.
§2.2-2547. Powers and duties of the Commission.
The Commission shall have the power and duty to:
1. Formulate and implement a program for the inclusive observance of the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States and the Revolutionary War in Virginia, including (i) civic education concerning the ideals of the American Revolution and their contemporary relevance; (ii) visitation of museums and historic sites, including battlefields; (iii) publication of historical documents and studies; (iv) cooperation with agencies responsible for the preservation or restoration of historic sites, buildings, art, and artifacts; (v) exhibitions and interpretive and wayfinding signage; (vi) improvement of museum and educational facilities; (vii) arrangement of appropriate public ceremonies; (viii) development of a comprehensive marketing and tourism campaign encompassing calendar year 2025 through calendar year 2026; and (ix) providing for the general dissemination of public information regarding Virginia's involvement in the American Revolution;
2. Submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual report for publication as a report document as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports. The chairman of the Commission shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual executive summary of the interim activity and work of the Commission no later than the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall be submitted for publication as a report document 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;
3. Solicit, accept, use, and dispose of funds appropriated by the General Assembly and any gifts, grants, donations, bequests, or other funds received by the Commission for the purpose of aiding or facilitating its work;
4. Establish an advisory council to be led by the Commission member representing Gunston Hall, composed of (i) nonlegislative citizen members at large who have a knowledge of relevant history or expertise in areas useful to the work of the Commission and (ii) nonlegislative citizen members representing institutions or groups relevant to the work of the Commission. The advisory council shall make recommendations and provide feedback and comment as requested by the Commission. The Commission may from time to time reappoint, add, or remove members of the advisory council. Members of the advisory council shall serve without compensation or reimbursement; and
5. Perform such other duties, functions, and activities as may be necessary to facilitate and implement the objectives of the Commission.
§2.2-2548. Staffing.
The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation shall serve as the primary state agency and fiscal agent for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Every department, division, board, bureau, commission, authority, or political subdivision of the Commonwealth shall cooperate with, and provide assistance to, the Commission, upon request.
§2.2-2549. Sunset.
This article shall expire on July 1, 2027.
2. That during the first year that it is established, the Virginia Revolutionary 250 Commission shall be limited to two meetings, which shall be convened by the Secretary of Education, for the purpose of developing a work plan for the Commission. Such work plan shall include information related to staffing and proposed internal organizational structure and funding needs. The Secretary shall submit a report on his findings, including any recommendations, to the Governor and the General Assembly by November 30, 2020.
