SD33 - Report of the Virginia Small Business Commission


Executive Summary:
This report summarizes the 1997 and 1998 activities of the Virginia Small Business Commission, a legislative commission devoted to promoting the interests of Virginia's small businesses. The Commission was established by the 1995 Session of the Virginia General Assembly, and is required by its enabling legislation (Va. Code § 9-336 et seq.) to undertake the following:

• Evaluate the impact of existing statutes and proposed legislation on small businesses.

• Assess the Commonwealth's small business assistance programs and examine ways to enhance their effectiveness.

• Provide small business owners and advocates with a forum to address their concerns.

• Report annually its findings and recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly.

The Commission is comprised of 14 members, including six members from the House of Delegates, four members from the Senate and four at-large members appointed by the governor. The at-large members are required to be individuals with small business experience or expertise.

The following General Assembly members served on the Commission in 1997 and 1998: Senators Stanley C. Walker of Norfolk, Charles R. Hawkins of Chatham, Janet D. Howell of Reston, and Edward L. Schrock of Virginia Beach, together with Delegates A. Victor Thomas of Roanoke, I. Vincent Behm, Jr., of Hampton, Robert S. Bloxom of Mappsville, Vincent F. Callahan, Jr., of McLean, Glenn R. Croshaw of Virginia Beach and Franklin P. Hall of Richmond. Gubernatorial appoint serving in 1997 and 1998 were: Robert A. Archer of Salem, Thomas E. Inman II of Williamsburg, Jorge M. P. Ponce of Centreville and Bernice E. Travers of Richmond. Senator Walker served as the Commission's chairman and Delegate Thomas as its vice chairman.