The Commission on the Legislative Process emphasized in its last report to the General Assembly the importance of improving the staff and facilities available to our legislature. It is the hope of the Commission that through improvements in the system in which we work the full potential of the General Assembly may be realized without the necessity of altering the historical role of our members as "citizen" legislators.

In nineteen hundred seventy-three you recognized the need for improved staffing and facilities. With respect to staffing, the role of the Division of Legislative Services was expanded and research capabilities initiated. As to facilities, you recognized the need for expansion by the enactment of § 51-111.52:5 of the Code of Virginia which gives the statutory authorization to the Committees on Rules to proceed with the construction of additional buildings for use by the General Assembly upon direction of both Houses. The ground work for change in staffing has been implemented by the Division and further improvements and additional staff are anticipated to provide a broader range of services. To date, however, the actual execution of plans for Capitol expansion has not been effected, as it was your desire that further study be directed to the matter by this Commission.

During nineteen hundred seventy-three the primary thrust of the efforts of the Commission has gone toward studying alternative solutions to the expansion, plans advanced during the last session. We feel that the need for additional space has been clearly demonstrated, but the most satisfactory manner for providing such space has not proven easy to ascertain. After substantial study and discussion of the problem, the Commission adopted the following motion: "It is the sense of the Commission that the present Capitol of Virginia be retained as a functional Capitol, and that to meet the needs of the legislature, new facilities must be erected within the bounds of Capitol Square, coordinated with the present Capitol Building."

Pursuant to the adoption of this motion, the Commission has developed and now endorses the proposal which includes new legislative office facilities on the site of the present Finance Building and. new, underground legislative chambers immediately north of the present Capitol Building. The Commission feels that such a proposal provides adequate and convenient space to meet the General Assembly's needs, retains the present Capitol as an integral part of the legislative process, and maintains Capitol Square as a park for Richmond and all Virginia.

The need for improved facilities has increased even in the one year since our last report to the General Assembly. With every year that passes not only does the need increase but the costs rise. If the General Assembly is to function effectively, conditions must be improved. The time for improvement is now. I urge each member to consider objectively the proposal of the Commission.

The work of the Commission on the Legislative Process, like that of the General Assembly, is an ongoing function. By no means does this report include the final recommendations which we shall make. While our energies have gone toward developing programs for Capitol expansion, we have taken cognizance of other features of the process which demand attention, specifically the legislative budget, informational services and computer technology. In the years to come the attention of the Commission will again turn toward developing the ways by which the legislative process can best respond to the needs of the Commonwealth.

Respectfully submitted,

/s/ John Warren Cooke
Chairman