SD7 - Regulation of Administrative Agencies

  • Published: 1952
  • Author: Virginia Advisory Legislative Council
  • Enabling Authority: Senate Joint Resolution 12 (Regular Session, 1950)

Executive Summary:

The 1950 Session of the General Assembly directed the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council to make a study of the Administrative Agencies. The resolution directing the study is as follows:

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 12

Directing the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council to make a study of the Administrative Agencies

Whereas, there is marked lack of uniformity in the procedure prescribed for those agencies of the State having the rule-making power in the issuance of orders, licenses or taking of action affecting property rights of the citizens of the Commonwealth; and

Whereas, this matter should be further studied to determine what action, if any, should be taken by the General Assembly; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, that the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council is directed to make a study and report to the Governor and General Assembly not later than October one, nineteen hundred fifty-one on the following matter: the procedure prescribed for administrative agencies of the State relative to issuing orders, licenses or taking other action affecting property rights of the citizens of this Commonwealth. The Council shall accompany its report and recommendations with drafts of such legislation as it deems appropriate to carry its recommendations into effect.

The Council assigned the study of these matters to Senator Ben T. Gunter, Jr., of Accomac, as Chairman of a committee, of which the following were selected as members: Mr. A. R. Bowles, Jr., Honorable Ralph T. Catterall, Honorable M. Ray Doubles, and Mr. T. Justin Moore, all of Richmond. John B. Boatwright, Jr., acted as Secretary and G. M. Lapsley as Recording Secretary of the Committee.

The Committee, after a thorough study of the subject and conference with persons having special interest in and knowledge of the subject, the details of which are hereinafter referred to, made its report to the Council. The Council has carefully reviewed the Committee report and finds itself substantially in accord with its findings and conclusions. It is impressed by the reasoning of the report, and sets it forth at length below.