Authority: Title 30, Chapters 7 and 8, Code of Virginia.

A. Out of the amounts for Performance Audits and Evaluation shall be paid the annual salary of the Director, Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, $108,710 from July 1, 1996, to November 30, 1996, $113,439 from December 1, 1996, to November 30, 1997, and $115,708 from December 1, 1997, to June 30, 1998.

B. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall review the mission, organizational structure and operations of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, to determine the feasibility of consolidating law enforcement services in the two agencies, the feasibility of consolidating such other services in the two agencies or related agencies as the Commission may identify in its examination, and the feasibility of consolidating both agencies into a new wildlife and fisheries agency. The Commission shall report on its progress to the 1996 General Assembly and to each succeeding session until its work is completed. The review shall include, but not be limited to, an examination of the program and cost-efficiencies possible from such consolidation(s), the potential for redirecting financial savings from such consolidation(s) to other needs identified as high priorities by the agencies or their governing boards, and such existing or new funding sources that might be feasible to support such consolidation(s). The Auditor of Public Accounts shall provide such assistance in this review as may be requested.

C. Pursuant to House Joint Resolution 173, 1996 Regular Session, the Commission shall also examine: (1) the permit and other fee structures utilized by Natural Resources agencies, including a comparison of the Commonwealth's current fee structures with those in similar and neighboring states, and (2) the Commonwealth's progress towards meeting the commitments set forth in the 1992 revisions to the 1987 Chesapeake Bay Agreement, for nutrient reductions. The Commission shall report on its progress to the 1997 General Assembly and to succeeding sessions until its work is completed.

D. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall review the mission, staffing, organizational structure, and operations of the Virginia Liaison Office. The Commission shall report its findings to the 1997 Session of the General Assembly.

E. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, upon request of the Department of Planning and Budget and approval of the Chairman, shall review and provide comments to the Department on its proposed use of performance measures in the State budget process. The Commission staff shall review the methodology and proposed uses of such performance measures, and provide periodic status reports to the Commission.

F. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall conduct a study of data processing services for state agencies and institutions, including the feasibility and advisability of privatizing the state data center located at the Department of Information Technology. As part of the study the Commission shall: 1) evaluate the effectiveness of statewide information technology planning and standards, including the mission and operations of the Council on Information Management; 2) assess the scope and utility of current data center services, including the feasibility of further consolidation of state data processing systems; 3) evaluate the effectiveness of using multiple main frame platforms; 4) determine the short- and long-term costs associated with privatization of the data center as well as continued operation by the state; 5) examine the various forms or levels of privatization which could be used; 6) assess the impact on agencies and institutions using DIT services; and 7) examine the methods for managing the risks associated with privatization of critical data processing systems. To complete its work, the Commission may employ any consulting services it deems necessary. Expenses for such services shall be funded from a separate appropriation for the Commission from the Computer Services Internal Services Fund, in the amount of $450,000. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall cooperate with the Commission in the completion of this study. The Commission shall make an interim report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than January 1, 1997, and a final report no later than January 1, 1998.

G. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall conduct a follow-up study of its 1984 assessment of the secretarial system in the Commonwealth. The follow-up study shall include, but not be limited to, issues identified in the 1995 JLARC interim report on the Department of Environmental Quality on the role of cabinet secretaries in internal agency management and the structure and staffing of the current secretarial system. The Commission shall report its findings to the 1997 General Assembly.

H. Expenses associated with the oversight responsibility of the the Virginia Retirement System by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission and the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees shall be reimbursed by the Virginia Retirement System upon documentation by the Director of JLARC of the expenses incurred.

I. The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall examine the fees, costs and revenues related to operation of the prison inmate telephone system. The review shall include, but not be limited to: (1) a comparison of policies in other states regarding cost of service, fees charged, and the use of revenues; (2) the financial impact on inmate families; and (3) the need for oversight by an entity independent of the Department of Corrections. The Commission shall report its findings to the 1997 General Assembly.