In JLARC’s biennial JLARC Impacts: Actions Taken on Report Recommendations, JLARC staff report on agency performance, recap actions taken on key recommendations, and highlight recommendations that are still outstanding. Over the last two years, JLARC studies have had impact on a broad range of public policy areas in Virginia, including special education; the workers’ compensation system; resources for small, women, and minority-owned businesses; local and regional jails oversight; the state’s IT infrastructure; and economic development.

In addition, JLARC staff’s Key Considerations for Marijuana Legalization and Gaming in the Commonwealth reports helped guide the development of legislation that legalized recreational marijuana use and five casinos in the Commonwealth. The marijuana legalization legislation included 60 JLARC recommendations and policy options governing marijuana use, public safety and health, regulation, commercialization and taxation, and social equity policies to redress harm to Black Virginians caused by disproportionate marijuana enforcement. Casino authorizing legislation included JLARC staff recommendations on problem gambling prevention and treatment, casino oversight, integrity of gaming operations, and regulation of “gray" machines proliferating throughout the Commonwealth.

I would like to express my gratitude for your support of JLARC’s vital work for the Commonwealth of Virginia. By taking action on a wide range of JLARC recommendations, the General Assembly has expressed its commitment to efficiency and effectiveness in state government.

Cordially,

/s/ Hal E. Greer
Director