Chap. 194.—An ACT for the creation and maintenance of a legislative refer-
ence bureau. (S. B. 74.)

Approved March 21, 1914.

~ 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
‘there shall be created and maintained a legislative reference bureau
“in accordance with the terms, conditions, and provisions hereinafter
‘set. forth.
1. There is hereby created a bureau to be known as the legisla-
tive reference bureau.
2. The bureau shall be in charge of a director appointed by
the governor, with the approval of the senate, without reference
‘to party affiliations, and solely on the ground of fitness to perform
‘the duties of the office: He shall receive an annual salary of two
“thousand and five hundred dollars, and shall hold office for the
sterm of five years, unless sooner removed by the governor for
‘cause. He shall devote his entire time to the work of the bureau
-and shall not practice Jaw in any manner, or be engaged in any
other business or occupation. No person shall be appointed
director unless he shall be a graduate in the school of law of some
college or university, approved by the governor, and shall have
been a student of political science for at least-twelve months, as
well as have had experience in the drafting of statute law.

3. The director may employ and fix the compensation of
necessary assistants, draftsmen. and clerks, who shall be selected
without reference to party affiliations, and solely on the ground
of fitness for the performance of the duties assigned to them.
Such compensation to be paid out of appropriations made for the
execution of this act. The State librarian may assign any
employees of the State library for work in the legislative reference
bureau during the sessions of the general assembly.

4. The governor and register of the land office shall provide
the bureau with suitable rooms in the State library building, State
capitol, or elsewhere in the city of Richmond, and so situate as to
be convenient for the members of the general assembly. The
bureau shall be kept open from nine a. m. to five p. m. through-
out the year, and when the general assembly is in session such other
hours as may be required by the presiding officers of the house of
delegates and of the senate.

5. The bureau, through its director and emplovees, shall have
access to the State law library, and to the State library, with the
right to withdraw, in the performance of his or their duties, any
books, pamphlets, or printed data, from either library, subject
to the rules of the said libraries, respectively, as to time.

6. The bureau shall—

(1) Collect and classify books, pamphlets, periodicals, docu-
ments, and other literature relating to prospective or pending
legislation ;

(2) Prepare catalogues, indexes, lists, digests, and compilation:
of materials relating to subjects of legislation;

(2) Publish bulletins and pamphlets containing guides to or
summaries of materials or information in the bureau;

(4) Keep on file copies of all bills, resolutions, amendments
thereto, reports of committees, and other documents printed br
order of either house of the general assembly:

(5) Accumulate data and statistics regarding the practical
operation and effect of statutes of this and other States.

7. All the books, documents and other materials, and_ the
guides to materials shall be at all times accessible to the member:
of the general assembly, State and municipal officers, boards and
commissions, and the general public for reference purposes.

8. -Upon the request of the governor, or any member of the
general assembly, the bureau shall—

(1) Draft or aid in drafting legislative bills or resolutions
and amendments thereto;
(2) Advise as to the constitutionality or probable legal effect
of proposed legislation ;

(3) Prepare summaries of existing laws affected by proposed
legislation, compilations of laws in other states or countries relating
to the subject matter of such legislation, and statements of the
operation and effect of such laws;

(4) Make researches and examination as to any subject of
proposed legislation.

9. All requests for the drafting of bills or resolutions by the
bureau shall be submitted in writing, and shall contain a general
statement respecting the policies and purposes which the governor
or member making the request desires incorporated in and accom
plished by the bill. Al requests and required statements shall be
signed by the person submitting them. Neither the director nor
any employee of the bureau shall reveal to any person outside of
the bureau the contents or nature of any such request or statements
except with the consent of the person signing such request. Bills
drafted by the bureau shall conform to the statements submitted
with the request or the supplementary written instructions
submitted by the person who originally made the request.

10. The printing and binding necessary for the proper
performance of the duties of the bureau, or the proper preservation
of material collected therein, shall be done by the public printer,
who shall, also, upon requisition of the director of this bureau,
furnish said bureau with the necessary stationery and supplies;
the said printing, stationery and supplies to be paid for out of the
general printing fund.

11. There is hereby appropriated out of the State: treasury
from funds not otherwise appropriated the sum of ten thousand
dollars for the salaries and expenses of the bureau until the next
biennial session of the general assembly. Not more than five
thousand dollars of this appropriation shall be used in any one
vear.