LaRock Appointed to Joint Commission on Technology and Science
Hamilton, VA – Speaker of the House William Howell has appointed Delegate Dave LaRock as a member of the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS), effective immediately and lasting for the duration of his term in the House of Delegates. The Commission meets several times throughout the year to “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 thereto.”
Each year, the Commission develops a work plan and identifies several topic areas that it will consider. The work plan may include such study topics as those directed by the General Assembly through legislation, requested by government agencies and the public, or identified on the Commission's own initiative.
A few of the issues the Commission will be looking into this year are:
- Senate Bill 599 (Cosgrove), referred by the Senate Committee on Education and Health, relates to student data and cloud computing.
- Senate Joint Resolution No. 61 (Reeves), directs JCOTS to study strategies for preventing and mitigating potential damages caused by geomagnetic disturbances and electromagnetic pulses.
- Delegate Terry Kilgore informally requested that JCOTS study the establishment of a consortium on space science education to advance the study of nanosatellite technology in the Commonwealth.
Del. LaRock also serves on the House Science and Technology Committee. During this year’s session, the Committee considered legislation regarding a variety of issues, including secure return of voted military-overseas ballots, electronic textbooks and online courses of instruction, consumer access to records, and security of student data in cloud computing.
“I look forward to working with the Commission in the months ahead. Technology and science have huge potential to stimulate economic growth and create jobs in Virginia. I want to make sure that Virginia government helps develop this amazing potential, and guard against over-regulation while protecting the public interests. I'm excited about dealing with the current need to guard sensitive personal data, especially personal data kept by the government,” LaRock stated.
More information about the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) is available at http://dls.virginia.gov/commission/jcots.htm
About Del. Dave LaRock
Delegate Dave LaRock represents the 33rd House District, including parts of Loudoun, Clarke and Frederick Counties, and the towns of Leesburg (partial), Purcellville, Berryville, Lovettsville, Round Hill, Hamilton and Hillsboro. LaRock serves on the Transportation Committee, the Science and Technology Committee and the Counties, Cities and Towns Committee. Dave and his wife, Joanne, have lived in Loudoun for 30 years, building a successful family-owned general contracting business. The LaRocks reside near Hamilton with Abby and John, the youngest of their seven children.
For more information about Del. Dave LaRock, or to schedule an interview, please contact Daniel Davies, Legislative Assistant: (540) 751-8364 or DelDLaRock@house.virginia.gov