The Joint Subcommittee to Study the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program was authorized to conduct its study by House Joint Resolution No. 136 agreed to by the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia during the 1978 Session.

Pursuant to House Joint Resolution No. 136, the following Senators and Delegates were appointed to serve on the Joint Subcommittee: Senator A. Joe Canada, Jr., of Virginia Beach; Senator James T. Edmunds, of Kenbridge; Senator Virgil H. Goode; Jr., of Rocky Mount; Delegate Johnny S. Joannou, of Portsmouth; Delegate Lewis P. Fickett, Jr., of Fredericksburg; Delegate Thomas J. Michie, Jr., of Charlottesville; Delegate William P. Robinson, Sr., of Norfolk; Delegate Norman Sisisky, of Petersburg and Delegate C. Jefferson Stafford, of Pearisburg; Citizen members appointed to the Joint Subcommittee were Donald H. Sandie, Judge of the General District Court of Portsmouth and Henry J. Schrieberg, Judge of the Richmond General District Court - Traffic Division. Delegate Joannou was selected to serve as chairman of the Joint Subcommittee.