30-19.8 - Collection of information by legislative study groups; policy. - Virginia Statutes

§ 30-19.8. Collection of information by legislative study groups; policy.

It shall be the policy of the Commonwealth that each legislative study group,including the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council and its subcommittees,the Virginia Code Commission, special legislative study commissions, andstanding committees of the House and Senate and their subcommittees, eitherthrough its members or staff, advise the agency head of the general nature ofa study or investigation being conducted by such group whenever it determinesthat information within such agency is applicable to such study orinvestigation. Thereafter, such legislative study group may seek out allinformation within such agency from an individual designated by the agencyhead to provide pertinent information or from the most direct and primarysource without further communication or contact with the agency head. Eachemployee within such agency shall give his full cooperation to the group andits staff in collecting the information. No member or staff member of suchgroups shall be entitled to access to information, without permission of theagency head, for which disclosure is prohibited by specific provisions of law.

Insofar as possible, the legislative study groups and their staffs shallperform their collection duties, and utilize the services of personnel withinthe agencies in doing so, in such a manner as to minimize disruption of thenormal operations of the agency.

Such freedom to access of all information within all state agencies is deemedabsolutely necessary for the legislature to be able to efficiently evaluatelaws and policies of the Commonwealth, how they are being administered, andthe need for changes in such laws and policies, and also for the VirginiaGeneral Assembly to effectively fulfill its responsibility regardinglegislative oversight.

(1977, c. 433.)