The Virginia Solid Waste Commission was created by the 1973 General Assembly through the passage of Senate Bill No. 856. This legislation, introduced by Senator Stanley C. Walker, created the Commission to study and advise upon the Disposal of Solid Wastes. During the 1976 Session of the General Assembly, the name of the Commission was changed to the Solid Waste Commission in Senate Bill No. 383. During the 1980 Session of the General Assembly, House Joint Resolution No. 44, introduced by Delegate George W. Grayson, was passed. This resolution directed the Virginia State Board of Health with the assistance of the Solid Waste Commission to plan for and establish a site for the disposal of low level nuclear waste.