Annual Survey of Virginia Law: Technology Law

During the 2000 Session, the General Assembly considered eighty-one technology related bills, forty of which were enacted. This article summarizes the more significant technology bills enacted during this session. One of these bills, House Bill 719,1 enlarged the Joint Commission on Technology and Science ("JCOTS"). The 1997 Virginia General Assembly created JCOTS aas a permanent legislative agency" to "generally study all aspects of technology and science and endeavor to stimulate, encourage, promote, and assist in the development of technology and science in the Commonwealth and sound public policies related thereto." JCOTS, which originally consisted of nine legislators-five delegates and four senators-is now made up of twelve members-seven delegates and five senators.

During the 2000 Session, JCOTS recommended and the members of JCOTS patroned fifteen technology related bills. Of these bills, eleven have been enacted.