CHAPTER 768

An Act to create a Rural Affairs Study Commission, provide for its mem-
bership, delineate its powers and duties, and appropriate funds.

[H 11387]
Approved April 5, 1968

Whereas, the rapid shifting of the State’s and nation’s population is
estimated to mean that by 1985 three-fourths of the Commonwealth’s then
over six million people will live in urban centers and that by the year 2000
far more than three-fourths of the nation’s people will live within only
four percent of the land area of the United States ; and

Whereas, this shift, which can in large measure be attributed to the
concentration of industrial, economic, transportation and communications
facilities within small geographic regions, means intensified problems of
air pollution, traffic congestion, crime and delinquency; and

Whereas, at least one solution to the numerous special problems which
afflict our urban areas would be the decentralization of industry and
attendant facilities and the better utilization of our rural resources to
support this burgeoning population and increasing industrial activity; and

Whereas, the vital need for intensive planning and study to discover
means and to outline action for the best utilization of our rural spaces, land
and human and physical resources, has been recently emphasized by the
“Symposium on Communities for ‘Tomorrow—National Growth and Its
Distribution” called for by the six Secretaries of Agriculture, Labor, Com-
merce, Transportation, Health, Education and Welfare and Housing and
Urban Development, and merits immediate attention in our State, now,
therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. §1. There is hereby created the Rural Affairs Study Commission
which shall consist of fifteen members of whom six shall be appointed by
the Governor, three shall be appointed by the President of the Senate from
the membership thereof and six shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Delegates from the membership thereof. The Commission shall
elect its Chairman.

§ 2. The Commission shall consider, study and report its recommen-
dations on the ways and means best designed to utilize existing rural re-
sources and to develop facilities in our rural areas to support industry
and an expanded share of the Commonwealth’s growing population.
Resources and facilities to be evaluated should include, without limitation,
those related to transportation and airports, communications, economic
resources such as power sources and labor, and living and recreational
facilities. Changes in relevant State laws and in the operation of local
governmental structures and services shall also be deemed pertinent to the
Commission’s study. The Commission may, also, review the programs of
other states relevant to its inquiry.

Commission members shall be paid their necessary expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties but shall receive no other
compensation.
§ 4. The Commission may employ such professional, technical, legal
and financial counsel as it deems necessary to the conduct of its study, and
such secretarial, clerical and other assistance as it may require.

§ 5. The Commission may accept and expend for the purpose of con-
ducting its study, in addition to sums appropriated to it by law, all gifts,
grants and donations from any and all sources.

§ 6. All State agencies and the governing bodies and agencies of the
political subdivisions shall assist and cooperate with the Commission in its
study.

§ 7. The Commission shall report its findings and recommendations
to the Governor and the General Assembly not later than November one,
nineteen hundred sixty-nine.

2. There is hereby appropriated from the general fund of the State
treasury the sum of fifteen thousand dollars for the purposes of this act.