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HJ 461

Rural Affairs, Secretariat of; JLARC to study need for and feasibility of creating position.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Israel O'Quinn

Evaluates creating a centralized Virginia Secretariat of Rural Affairs to coordinate housing, health, economy, and infrastructure, with agency realignments and funding options.

Left in Rules
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Bill Summary · HJ 461

Summary of HJ461 – Study on creating a Secretariat of Rural Affairs

Purpose and intent

  • House Joint Resolution 461 directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to study the need for and feasibility of creating a Commonwealth Secretariat of Rural Affairs.
  • The resolution recognizes rural Virginia’s disparities in education, health, broadband, economic opportunity, and population trends, and seeks a centralized governance structure to address these needs.

Key provisions and scope of the study

JLARC is instructed to assess:
- (i) How existing state entities serve rural Virginia and where gaps or shortcomings exist.
- (ii) Whether creating a Secretariat of Rural Affairs could improve or streamline access to housing, employment, transportation, economic development, health care, education, and broadband.
- (iii) Whether any divisions of specified agencies (or other identified agencies) could be moved, in whole or part, under the proposed Secretariat, and the benefits or hurdles of such a transition.
- Suggested agencies/areas for potential realignment include:
- Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission
- Virginia Economic Development Partnership
- Department of Housing and Community Development (including the Appalachian Regional Commission)
- Department of Energy
- Department of Conservation and Recreation
- Department of Environmental Quality
- Department of Health’s State Office of Rural Health
- Department of Forestry
- Department of Wildlife Resources
- Virginia Resources Authority
- Virginia Tourism Corporation
- (iv) Whether and how current funding streams or grant programs serving rural communities could be moved under the Secretariat.
- (v) Potential staffing models and funding needs, acknowledging the need for diverse expertise and a physical presence in rural regions.
- (vi) How the Secretariat could partner with groups supporting rural Virginians (e.g., Virginia Rural Center, Rural Virginia Prosperity Commission).
- (vii) The degree to which the Secretariat’s scope could mirror analogous positions in other jurisdictions.
- (viii) Whether alternative structural reforms to state government could more effectively and efficiently improve rural life outcomes.

Who would be affected

  • Rural Virginians and rural localities, whose access to essential services and opportunities would be the focus of potential improvements.
  • State agencies and commissions listed above, which may undergo realignment in duties, funding, or governance.
  • JLARC and the Governor/General Assembly, which would receive JLARC’s findings and any recommended actions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Left in Rules (as of February 4, 2025).
  • Introduced and prefiled dates: Prefiled January 8, 2025; Offered January 13, 2025; Bill number HJ461.
  • Study timeline: JLARC meetings completed by October 1, 2025.
  • Reporting: Executive summary and final findings/recommendations due to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems no later than December 1, 2025; summary/report to be posted on the General Assembly website.
  • Nature of legislation: A non-binding Joint Resolution directing a study rather than enacting new law.

Bottom-line

HJ461 seeks a comprehensive, data-driven evaluation of whether Virginia should create a centralized Secretariat of Rural Affairs to coordinate and strengthen policy across housing, health, economy, education, and infrastructure for rural communities, including potential agency realignments and funding changes. The study would be conducted by JLARC with broad agency cooperation and a tight 2025 reporting timeline.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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