In 1972, the General Assembly, concerned over the direction and administration of the welfare programs of the State, directed the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council to study the welfare system and to report in 1973. A Committee of the Council was appointed to conduct the study and the Council submitted a report to the 1974 General Assembly. As a result of that Committee's work, far-ranging legislation was passed concerning the administration of the Commonwealth's public welfare programs. Because of the enormity of the task of reforming the welfare structure, the Committee was not able to complete its work. Consequently, the Council requested that the General Assembly continue its mandate to study public welfare systems. The General Assembly complied with the request, embodying its instructions in Senate Joint Resolution No. 20.