This report summarizes the activities during 1999 and 2000 of the Virginia Small Business Commission. The Virginia General Assembly established the Commission in 1995 for the purpose of promoting the interests of Virginia's small businesses. The Commission is required by § 9-336 of the Virginia Code to:

• 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 House of Delegates members of the Commission are A. Victor Thomas of Roanoke, Robert S. Bloxom of Mappsville, Vincent F. Callahan, Jr., of McLean, R. Lee Ware of Powhatan, Donald L. Williams of Norfolk, and Franklin P. Hall of Richmond. The Senate members of the Commission are Nicholas D. Rerras of Norfolk, Charles R. Hawkins of Chatham, and Russell H. Potts, Jr. of Winchester. In addition, Edward L. Schrock of Virginia Beach served as a Senate member of the Commission until his election to Congress in November 2000. The gubernatorial appointees are Robert A. Archer of Salem, Gregory John Carneal of Fredericksburg, Daniel Caseman of Hamilton, and Bernice E. Travers of Richmond.

The activities of the Commission during 1997 and 1998 are addressed in the Commission's 1999 report, which is published as Senate Document 33. The Commission did not meet in 1999. The Commission met twice -- on July 25 and October 17 -- between the 2000 and 200 I General Assembly sessions.

At the Commission's meeting on July 25, 2000, Delegate Thomas was elected to serve as the Commission's chairman and Senator Rerras as its vice-chairman.