Virginia Law

Article 1. Department of Historic Resources.

As used in this subtitle, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Battlefield property" means any real property in the Commonwealth that is listed in the Report on the Nation's Civil War Battlefields by the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission (Civil War Sites Advisory Commission/National Park Service, 1993, as amended); the Report to Congress on the Historic Preservation of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Sites in the United States by the American Battlefield Protection Program of the National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service, 2007, as amended or superseded); or the Update to the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission Report on the Nation's Civil War Battlefields, Commonwealth of Virginia, by the American Battlefield Protection Program (U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service, 2009, as amended or superseded).

"Board" means the Board of Historic Resources.

"Department" means the Department of Historic Resources.

"Director" means the Director of the Department of Historic Resources.

1989, c. 656; 2015, c. 100.

There is hereby created a Department of Historic Resources. The Department shall be headed by a Director.

The Director shall be appointed by the Governor to serve at his pleasure for a term coincident with his own. The Director shall be subject to confirmation by the General Assembly if it is in session when the appointment is made, and if not then in session, at the next succeeding session.

The Director shall also serve as the State Historic Preservation Officer for the purposes of carrying out the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-665), as amended.

1989, c. 656.

In addition to the powers and duties conferred upon the Director elsewhere and in order to encourage, stimulate, and support the identification, evaluation, protection, preservation, and rehabilitation of the Commonwealth's significant historic, architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources; in order to establish and maintain a permanent record of those resources; and in order to foster a greater appreciation of these resources among the citizens of the Commonwealth, the Director shall have the following powers and duties which may be delegated by the Director:

1. To employ such personnel as may be required to carry out those duties conferred by law;

2. To make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of his duties and the execution of his powers, including but not limited to contracts with private nonprofit organizations, the United States, other state agencies and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth;

3. To apply for and accept bequests, grants and gifts of real and personal property as well as endowments, funds, and grants from the United States government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and any other source. The Director shall have the authority to comply with such conditions and execute such agreements as may be necessary, convenient or desirable;

4. To perform acts necessary or convenient to carry out the duties conferred by law;

5. To promulgate regulations, in accordance with the Virginia Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) and not inconsistent with the National Historic Preservation Act (P.L. 89-665) and its attendant regulations, as are necessary to carry out all responsibilities incumbent upon the State Historic Preservation Officer, including at a minimum criteria and procedures for submitting nominations of properties to the National Park Service for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places or for designation as National Historic Landmarks;

6. To conduct a broad survey and to maintain an inventory of buildings, structures, districts, objects, and sites of historic, architectural, archaeological, or cultural interest which constitute the tangible remains of the Commonwealth's cultural, political, economic, military, or social history;

7. To publish lists of properties, including buildings, structures, districts, objects, and sites, designated as landmarks by the Board, to inspect designated properties from time to time, and periodically publish a complete register of designated properties setting forth appropriate information concerning those properties;

8. With the consent of the landowners, to provide appropriately designed markers for designated buildings, structures, districts, objects and sites;

9. To acquire battlefield properties, designated landmarks, and other properties of historic significance as determined by the Department, or easements or interests therein, and to administer such properties, whether acquired pursuant to this subsection or subdivision A 4 of § 10.1-2204;

10. To aid and to encourage counties, cities and towns to establish historic zoning districts for designated landmarks and to adopt regulations for the preservation of historical, architectural, archaeological, or cultural values;

11. To provide technical advice and assistance to individuals, groups and governments conducting historic preservation programs and regularly to seek advice from the same on the effectiveness of Department programs;

12. To prepare and place, in cooperation with the Department of Transportation, highway historical markers approved by the Board of Historic Resources on or along the highway or street closest to the location which is intended to be identified by the marker;

13. To develop a procedure for the certification of historic districts and structures within the historic districts for federal income tax purposes;

14. To aid and to encourage counties, cities, and towns in the establishment of educational programs and materials for school use on the importance of Virginia's historic, architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources;

15. To conduct a program of archaeological research with the assistance of the State Archaeologist which includes excavation of significant sites, acquisition and maintenance of artifact collections for the purposes of study and display, and dissemination of data and information derived from the study of sites and collections;

16. To manage and administer the Historic Resources Fund as provided in § 10.1-2202.1; and

17. To manage and administer the Historical African American Cemeteries and Graves Fund as provided in § 10.1-2211.3.

1989, c. 656; 1992, cc. 256, 801; 1995, c. 21; 2005, c. 85; 2006, c. 32; 2015, c. 100; 2020, cc. 455, 456; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 406.

A. There is hereby established a special, nonreverting fund in the state treasury to be known as the Historic Resources Fund, hereafter referred to as the Fund. The Fund shall be administered and managed by the Director and used for the general purposes of education, financing of museum operating and capital expenses, performing research, and conducting special historic preservation projects as identified by the Department and the donors. The Fund shall consist of appropriations from the General Assembly designated for the Fund, any gifts and bequests, cash and noncash, and all proceeds from the sale of Department publications and educational or promotional material, income from contracted services, and grants. Initial funding shall be made by a transfer of existing donations and special funds consistent with the intent of this new fund.

B. The Fund shall be established on the books of the State Comptroller. Any moneys remaining in the Fund shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Interest earned on such moneys shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any income earned from gifts, bequests, securities, and other property shall be deposited to the credit of the Fund.

1995, c. 21.

A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Preservation Easement Fund, hereafter referred to as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. The Fund shall consist of general funds appropriated by the General Assembly and funds received as gifts, endowments, or grants from the United States Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and funds from any other available sources, public or private. All such funds shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund.

Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of: (i) supporting and promoting a broad-based easement program and (ii) providing grants in accordance with this section to persons who convey a perpetual easement to the Board pursuant to the Open-Space Land Act (§ 10.1-1700 et seq.) and, if applicable, the Virginia Conservation Easement Act (§ 10.1-1009 et seq.) for the purposes of preserving real property which is important for its historical, architectural or archaeological aspects. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director.

B. The Director shall establish, administer, manage, and make expenditures and allocations from the Fund.

C. Grants from the Fund may be made to persons conveying a perpetual easement to the Board to pay some or all of the costs associated with such conveyance, which may include the cost of registering the property with the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places, and legal, survey, appraisal and other costs.

D. The Director shall establish guidelines for the submittal and evaluation of grant applications and for the award of grants from the Fund. The guidelines shall authorize the Director to give priority to applications that demonstrate the applicant's financial need for a grant.

1998, c. 479.

A. In order to consider the broad public interest and protect the financial investment in state-owned historic assets, the Department shall develop, on a biennial basis, a report on the stewardship of state-owned properties. The report shall include, but not be limited to, a priority list of the Commonwealth's most significant state-owned properties that are eligible for but not designated on the Virginia Landmarks Register pursuant to § 10.1-2206.1. The report shall also provide a priority list of significant state-owned properties, designated on or eligible for the Virginia Landmarks Register, which are threatened with the loss of historic integrity or functionality. In developing the report, the Department shall, in addition to significance and threat, take into account other public interest considerations associated with landmark designation and the provision of proper care and maintenance of property. These considerations shall include: (i) potential financial consequences to the Commonwealth associated with failure to care for and maintain property, (ii) significant public educational potential, (iii) significant tourism opportunities, and (iv) community values and comments. The report shall be forwarded to all affected state agencies, including institutions of higher education, the Governor, the Secretary of Administration, the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, the Secretary of Finance, and the General Assembly. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall assist and support the development of the report by providing information and access to property as may be requested.

B. Each agency that owns property included in the report required by subsection A shall initiate consultation with the Department within 60 days of receipt of the report and make a good faith effort to reach a consensus decision on designation of an unlisted property and on the feasibility, advisability, and general manner of addressing property needs in the case of a threatened historic property.

C. The Department shall prepare a biennial status report summarizing actions, decisions taken, and the condition of properties previously identified as priorities. The status report, which may be combined with the report required pursuant to subsection A, shall be forwarded to all affected state agencies, including institutions of higher education, as well as to the Governor, the Secretary of Administration, the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, the Secretary of Finance, and the General Assembly.

D. The reports required in subsections A and C shall be completed and distributed as required no later than May 1 of each odd-numbered year, so that information contained therein is available to the agencies, the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of Administration, and the Governor, as well as the General Assembly, during budget preparation.

2006, c. 747; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 401.

A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Battlefield Preservation Fund, hereafter referred to as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. The Fund shall consist of general funds appropriated by the General Assembly and funds received as gifts, endowments, or grants from the United States government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and funds from any other available sources, public or private, including gifts and bequeaths. All such funds shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund.

Moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Department solely for the purpose of making grants to private nonprofit organizations, hereafter referred to as "organizations," to match federal and other matching funds. All such grants shall be made solely for the fee simple purchase of, or purchase of protective interests in, any Virginia battlefield property listed in the following reports: the Report on the Nation's Civil War Battlefields by the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission (Civil War Sites Advisory Commission/National Park Service, 1993, as amended) or the Report to Congress on the Historic Preservation of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Sites in the United States by the American Battlefield Protection Program of the National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service, 2007, as amended or superseded). Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director.

B. The Director shall establish, administer, manage, and make expenditures and allocations from the Fund.

C. Organizations seeking grant funding from the Fund shall be required to provide at least $1 in matching funds for each $1 received from the Fund for the proposed project. As used herein, the term "matching funds" shall include both cash and the value of any contribution due to a bargain sale or the donation of land or interest therein made by the landowner as part of the proposed project. No state funds may be included in determining the amount of the match.

D. Eligible costs for which moneys from the Fund may be allocated include acquisition of land and any improvements thereon (collectively referred to herein as "land") or permanent protective interests, such as perpetual conservation easements, and costs associated with such acquisitions, including the cost of appraisals, environmental reports, any survey, title searches and title insurance, and other closing costs.

E. Grants from the Fund shall not exceed 50 percent of the appraised value of the land or permanent protective interest therein.

F. Grants from the Fund may be awarded for prospective purchases or for acquisitions on which the applicant has closed. In the latter case the applicant shall demonstrate:

1. The closing occurred no more than 12 months prior to the date of application for the grant; and

2. An identifiable threat to the resource or compelling need for preservation existed at the time of the purchase.

G. Any eligible organization making an acquisition of land or interest therein pursuant to this section shall grant to the Board or other holder a perpetual easement placing restrictions on the use or development of the land. In cases where the easement is granted to a holder other than the Board, all terms and conditions of the easement shall be reviewed by and found by the Department to accomplish the perpetual preservation of the battlefield property. Such other holder shall demonstrate to the Department that it has the capacity and expertise to manage and enforce the terms of the easement.

H. Nothing in this section shall preclude the subsequent transfer or assignment by a state agency or other owner or holder of any property interest acquired pursuant to this section to the United States of America to be incorporated into a national park, national forest, national wildlife refuge, or other national conservation area in accordance with 54 U.S.C. § 100101, 16 U.S.C. § 551, the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. § 742a et seq.), or 16 U.S.C. § 1131, as amended and applicable. The Department, acting on behalf of the Board, shall facilitate transfers and assignments of any such interests held by the Board. The United States of America shall be considered a "public body" as that term is defined in the Virginia Open-Space Land Act (§ 10.1-1700 et seq.) for the purposes of any transfer or assignment to the United States of America of any easement granted under this section.

I. The Director shall establish, administer, manage, and make expenditures and allocations from the Fund and shall establish guidelines for applications, evaluation, and award of grants from the Fund in consultation with appropriate battlefield preservation interests. In making grants, the Department shall give primary consideration to the significance of the battlefield and the degree to which the property falls within the core and study areas of the specific battlefield, as described in the relevant report of the American Battlefield Protection Program, as well as proximity to other protected lands; threat to and integrity of the features associated with the battle in question; and the financial and administrative capacity of the applicant to complete the project and to maintain and manage the property in a manner that is consistent with the public investment and public interests, such as education, recreation, research, heritage tourism promotion, or orderly community development.

2010, cc. 237, 479; 2015, c. 467.

A. As used in this section:

"Eligible costs" means acquisition of real property and any improvements thereon; acquisition of a permanent protective interest in real property such as a perpetual preservation easement; costs associated with the acquisition of real property or interests thereof, such as appraisals, environmental reports, surveys, title searches, title insurance, and closing costs; costs of registering property with the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places, including survey and consultation fees and other related costs; and costs associated with the material rehabilitation or stabilization of real property.

"Fund" means the Virginia Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Historic Preservation Fund.

"Organization" means a private nonprofit organization.

B. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Historic Preservation Fund. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All funds appropriated for such purpose, any funds from the federal government, and any gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes set forth in this section. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director.

C. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for grants to any eligible state-recognized or federally recognized Indian tribe, private nonprofit organization, or locality for eligible costs related to the purchase of a fee simple or protective interest in real property; rehabilitation or stabilization of real property; or data recovery of any cultural or historical property associated with Black, indigenous, or people of color communities and listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register, the National Register of Historic Places, designated as a National Historic Landmark, or determined eligible for such listing. Matching funds may be required for grants from the Fund.

D. Grants awarded from the Fund for the acquisition of real property by fee simple purchase or by purchase of protective interests shall not exceed 50 percent of the appraised value of the land or permanent protective interest.

E. Grants from the Fund may be awarded for a prospective purchase or for acquisitions upon which the applicant has already completed the transaction. If the transaction has been completed at the time of the application for the grant, the applicant shall demonstrate that (i) the transaction was completed no more than 12 months prior to the date of the application for the grant and (ii) an identifiable threat to the resource or compelling need for preservation existed at the time of the purchase.

F. Any state-recognized or federally recognized Indian tribe, organization, or locality receiving a grant from the Fund shall grant the Board or other holder a perpetual easement pursuant to the Open-Space Land Act (§ 10.1-1700 et seq.) for the purpose of preserving real property that is important for its historical, architectural, or archaeological aspects, replacing restrictions on the use or development of the land. If the easement is granted to a holder other than the Board, all terms and conditions of the easement shall be reviewed by the Department to ensure that the easement accomplishes the perpetual preservation of the property. Such other holder shall demonstrate to the Department that it has the capacity and expertise to manage and enforce the terms of the easement.

G. The Director shall administer and manage the Fund and shall establish guidelines for applications, evaluations, and recommendations to the Board for the award of grants from the Fund. In awarding grants, the Board shall give primary consideration to the significance of the real property and the threat to and integrity of features associated with such property. The Board shall also consider the applicant's financial need, the ability of an applicant to provide matching funds, and the financial and administrative capacity of the applicant to complete the project and maintain and manage the property in a manner that is consistent with public investment and public interest, such as education, recreation, research, heritage tourism promotion, or orderly community development. The Director shall make grant award recommendations to the Board for approval by the Board. The Director shall incorporate the ConserveVirginia program, established pursuant to § 10.1-104.6:1, into grant award recommendations to the Board, when appropriate.

2022, cc. 185, 186.

A. The Virginia Historic Landmarks Board within the executive branch of state government is continued as the Board of Historic Resources and shall consist of seven members. The members of the Board shall initially be appointed for terms of office as follows: two for a one-year term, two for a two-year term, two for a three-year term, and one for a four-year term. Appointments thereafter shall be made for four-year terms, except appointments to fill vacancies occurring other than by expiration of term, which shall be filled for the unexpired term.

B. In making appointments to the Board, the Governor shall consult with agencies and organizations in Virginia that have as their principal interest the study of Virginia's history and the preservation of Virginia's historic, architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources. The Governor shall also consult appropriate agencies and organizations that represent business and property interests that may be affected by actions of the Board.

1966, c. 632, § 10-136; 1968, c. 612; 1976, c. 484; 1984, c. 750; 1986, c. 608; 1988, c. 891, § 10.1-800; 1989, c. 656; 1992, c. 801.

A. The Board of Historic Resources shall:

1. Designate historic landmarks, including buildings, structures, districts, objects and sites which constitute the principal historical, architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources which are of local, statewide or national significance and withdraw designation either upon a determination by the Board that the property has failed to retain those characteristics for which it was designated or upon presentation of new or additional information proving to the satisfaction of the Board that the designation had been based on error of fact;

2. Establish and endorse appropriate historic preservation practices for the care and management of designated landmarks;

3. Approve the proposed text and authorize the manufacture of highway historical markers;

4. Acquire battlefield properties, designated landmarks, and other properties of historic significance, or easements or interests therein;

5. Review the programs and services of the Department of Historic Resources, including annual plans and make recommendations to the Director and the Governor concerning the effectiveness of those programs and services;

6. In cooperation with the Department, and through public lectures, writings, and other educational activities, promote awareness of the importance of historic resources and the benefits of their preservation and use;

7. Approve awards from the Virginia Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Historic Preservation Fund established pursuant to § 10.1-2202.5; and

8. Apply for gifts, grants and bequests for deposit in the Historic Resources Fund to promote the missions of the Board and the Department.

B. For the purposes of this chapter, designation by the Board of Historic Resources shall mean an act of official recognition designed (i) to educate the public to the significance of the designated resource and (ii) to encourage local governments and property owners to take the designated property's historic, architectural, archaeological, and cultural significance into account in their planning, the local government comprehensive plan, and their decision making. Such designation, itself, shall not regulate the action of local governments or property owners with regard to the designated property.

1966, c. 632, § 10-138; 1984, c. 750, § 10-259; 1986, c. 608; 1988, c. 891, § 10.1-801; 1989, c. 656; 1992, c. 801; 1995, c. 21; 2006, c. 32; 2015, c. 100; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 406; 2022, cc. 185, 186.

The Board shall promulgate regulations necessary to carry out its powers and duties, including at a minimum criteria and procedures for the designation of historic landmarks, including buildings, structures, districts, objects, and sites. Such regulations shall be not inconsistent with the National Historic Preservation Act (P.L. 89-665) and its attendant regulations. The regulations of the Board shall be promulgated in accordance with the Virginia Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

Any person who violates any regulation adopted pursuant to this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500. Any civil penalty collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the state treasury.

1989, c. 656; 1992, cc. 180, 801; 2006, c. 32.

A. The Department, with assistance from the Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation designated pursuant to § 2.2-401.01, shall develop policies and procedures, to the extent permitted by law, to ensure an opportunity for meaningful and appropriate written consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth regarding certain major actions or permits issued by the Department. The Department shall designate an agency official to evaluate the adequacy of consultation and ensure that agency consultation practices are consistent. Actions and permits appropriate for consultation shall include the projects and actions set forth in subsection B. The policies shall define an appropriate means of notifying federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth based on tribal preferences, ensure that sufficient information and time is provided for the federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth to fully engage in consultation regarding developing informed opinions about the proposed action, and establish procedures for the Department to provide feedback to the federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth to explain how their input was considered. Should feedback from the federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth not be received by the deadline established in the Department's policies and procedures, the consultation provisions of this section shall be deemed fulfilled.

B. The following actions and projects are subject to consultation as set forth in subsection A: (i) the designation of historic districts, buildings, structures, or sites as historic landmarks pursuant to § 10.1-2206.1; (ii) permits to conduct field investigations pursuant to § 10.1-2302; and (iii) burial permits for relocation of human remains issued pursuant to § 10.1-2305.

2024, c. 830.

Repealed by Acts 1992, c. 801.

A. In any county, city, or town where the Board proposes to designate a historic district, building, structure, object, or site as a historic landmark, or where the Director proposes to nominate property to the National Park Service for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places or for designation as a National Historic Landmark, the Department shall give written notice of the proposal to the governing body and to the owner, owners, or the owner's agent, of property proposed to be so designated or nominated, and to the owners, or their agents, of all abutting property and property immediately across the street or road from the property. The Department shall also consult with any federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth pursuant to § 10.1-2205.1 if the designation or nomination is in a locality identified by the Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation pursuant to subdivision B 2 of § 2.2-401.01.

B. Prior to the designation or nomination of a historic district, the Department shall hold a public hearing at the seat of government of the county, city, or town in which the proposed historic district is located or within the proposed historic district. The public hearing shall be for the purpose of supplying additional information to the Board and to the Director. The time and place of such hearing shall be determined in consultation with a duly authorized representative of the local governing body and shall be scheduled at a time and place that will reasonably allow for the attendance of the affected property owners. The Department shall publish notice of the public hearing once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper published or having general circulation in the county, city, or town. Such notice shall specify the time and place of the public hearing at which persons affected may appear and present their views, not less than six days nor more than 21 days after the second publication of the notice in such newspaper. In addition to publishing the notice, the Department shall give written notice of the public hearing at least five days before such hearing to the owner, owners, or the owner's agent, of each parcel of real property to be included in the proposed historic district, and to the owners, or their agents, of all abutting property and property immediately across the street or road from the included property. Notice required to be given to owners by this subsection may be given concurrently with the notice required to be given to the owners by subsection A. The Department shall make and maintain an appropriate record of all public hearings held pursuant to this section.

C. Any written notice required to be given by the Department to any person shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this section if sent by first class mail to the last known address of such person as shown on the current real estate tax assessment books, provided that a representative of the Department shall make an affidavit that such mailings have been made.

D. The local governing body and property owners shall have 30 days from the date of the notice required by subsection A, or, in the case of a historic district, 30 days from the date of the public hearing required by subsection B to provide comments and recommendations, if any, to the Board and to the Director.

E. For the purposes of this chapter, a historic district means a geographically definable area that contains a significant concentration of historic buildings, structures, or sites having a common historical, architectural, archaeological, or cultural heritage, and which may contain local tax parcels having separate owners. Contributing properties within a registered district are historic landmarks by definition.

F. All regulations promulgated by the Director pursuant to § 10.1-2202 and all regulations promulgated by the Board pursuant to § 10.1-2205 shall be consistent with the provisions of this section.

1992, c. 801; 2006, c. 32; 2024, c. 830.

A. Before the Board shall designate any building, structure, district, object, or site as a historic landmark in accordance with § 10.1-2204, the owners of such property proposed for designation shall be given the opportunity to concur in or object to such designation by the Board. If a majority of the owners of the property within such area proposed for designation object to such designation, the Board shall take no formal action to designate the property as historic until such objection is withdrawn.

B. For the purposes of this section, majority of owners of the property shall mean a majority of the number of property owners of or within the proposed property or district.

C. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed or construed to affect any local government charter or ordinance regarding historic districts or historic preservation.

1992, c. 801; 2006, c. 32.

Where the Commonwealth has obtained from a landowner an easement or other partial interest in property which places restrictions on the use or development of that property so as to preserve those features which led to the designation of that property as an historic landmark, the easement or other partial interest shall be recorded in the clerk's office of the county or city where deeds are admitted to record. Assessments for local taxation of the property shall reflect any resulting change in the market value of the property, as prescribed by § 58.1-3205. The Director shall notify the official having the taxing power to make assessments of properties for purposes of taxation within the locality of the restrictions that have been placed on the property.

1966, c. 632, §§ 10-138, 10-139; 1984, cc. 675, 750; 1986, c. 608; 1988, c. 891, § 10.1-808; 1989, c. 656.

The Director shall oversee the expenditure of state appropriations made available to organizations, whether localities or private entities, for purposes related to the historical collections, historic landmarks, and historic sites of Virginia, to assure that such purposes are consistent with the statewide plan for historic preservation as established by the Director. The Director shall establish and require adherence to sound professional standards of historical, architectural and archaeological research in the planning, preservation, restoration, interpretation and display of such collections, landmarks, and sites.

1972, c. 119, § 10-138.1; 1984, c. 750; 1988, c. 891, § 10.1-809; 1989, c. 656; 2010, c. 291.

Expired.

It shall be unlawful to post or erect any historical marker, monument, sign or notice, on public property or upon any public street, road or highway in the Commonwealth bearing any legend, inscription or notice which purports to record any historic event, incident or fact, or to maintain any such historical marker, monument, notice, or sign posted or erected after June 17, 1930, unless a written certificate has been issued by the Board or an appropriate predecessor agency attesting to the validity and correct record of the historic event, incident or fact set forth in the marker.

Code 1950, § 42-66; 1950, p. 47; 1964, c. 152; 1970, c. 606, § 10-145.2; 1976, c. 88; 1984, c. 750, § 10-261; 1986, c. 608; 1988, c. 891, § 10.1-810; 1989, c. 656.

A. The governing body of any county, city or town may, at its own expense, have erected a historical marker commemorating any person, event or place upon any public street, road or highway within its boundaries, provided that the person, event or place to be commemorated is identified with or representative of a local aspect of history. The governing body, or its duly authorized agent, shall first determine, on the basis of documented research, that the text of the marker appears to be true and correct. The local markers shall differ in style and appearance from state historical markers, and shall display, on the face of the markers, prominent notice of the governing body, or its agent, which approved the text of the marker. Design, appearance and size and height specifications for local markers shall be reviewed and approved by the Board.

B. If the person, event or place to be commemorated is prominently identified with, or best representative of a major aspect of state or national history, then the text of the marker shall be approved as provided in § 10.1-2209.

1970, c. 606, § 10-145.6; 1976, c. 88; 1988, c. 891, § 10.1-811; 1989, c. 656.

A. For purposes of this section, "Green Book" means The Negro Motorist Green Book published by Victor Hugo Green to provide a list of hotels, guest houses, service stations, drug stores, taverns, barbershops, and restaurants known to be safe for traveling Black Americans during the Jim Crow era.

B. The Department, in partnership with the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Department of Transportation, shall designate or approve historic site signs identifying locations and businesses identified in the Green Book. Such historic site signs shall be permanently affixed to existing markers approved by the Department as provided in § 10.1-2209. The Department shall establish a registry of verified locations and businesses in the Commonwealth identified in the Green Book and determine those locations or businesses that also have a historic site marker approved by the Department on or near such location or business. The Department of Transportation shall print, place, and maintain the Green Book historic site signs. Localities that maintain their own highways shall place and maintain the Green Book historic site signs for those sites within their boundaries. The Virginia Tourism Corporation shall design the signs and maintain an informational website (i) explaining the historical significance of the Green Book in making travel safer for Black Americans and (ii) listing the Green Book locations in the Commonwealth, as identified by the Department, and identifying those locations that have posted Green Book historic site signs as provided in this section. Such signs shall include an image, outline, or similar depiction of the Green Book and the words "Green Book Location."

2023, c. 179.

A. At the direction of the Director, the Comptroller of the Commonwealth is instructed and empowered to draw annual warrants upon the State Treasurer from any sums that may be provided in the general appropriation act, in favor of the treasurers of the Confederate memorial associations and chapters of the United Daughters of the Confederacy set forth in subsection B of this section. Such sums shall be expended by the associations and organizations for the routine maintenance of their respective Confederate cemeteries and graves and for the graves of Confederate soldiers and sailors not otherwise cared for in other cemeteries, and in erecting and caring for markers, memorials, and monuments to the memory of such soldiers and sailors. All such associations and organizations, through their proper officers, are required after July 1 of each year to submit to the Director a certified statement that the funds appropriated to the association or organization in the preceding fiscal year were or will be expended for the routine maintenance of cemeteries specified in this section and the graves of Confederate soldiers and sailors and in erecting and caring for markers, memorials and monuments to the memory of such soldiers and sailors. An association or organization failing to comply with any of the requirements of this section shall be prohibited from receiving moneys allocated under this section for all subsequent fiscal years until the association or organization fully complies with the requirements.

B. Allocation of appropriations made pursuant to this section shall be based on the number of graves, monuments and markers as set forth opposite the association's or organization's name, or as documented by each association or organization multiplied by the rate of $5 or the average actual cost of routine maintenance, whichever is greater, for each grave, monument or marker in the care of a Confederate memorial association or chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. For the purposes of this section the "average actual cost of care" shall be determined by the Department in a biennial survey of at least four properly maintained cemeteries, each located in a different geographical region of the Commonwealth.

C. In addition to funds that may be provided pursuant to subsection B, any of the Confederate memorial associations and chapters of the United Daughters of the Confederacy set forth in subsection B may apply to the Director for grants to perform extraordinary maintenance, renovation, repair or reconstruction of any of their respective Confederate cemeteries and graves and for the graves of Confederate soldiers and sailors. These grants shall be made from any appropriation made available by the General Assembly for such purpose. In making such grants, the Director shall give full consideration to the assistance available from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or other agencies, except in those instances where such assistance is deemed by the Director to be detrimental to the historical, artistic or architectural significance of the site.

D. Local matching funds shall not be required for grants made pursuant to this section.

Code 1950, § 2.1-206.1; 1977, c. 242; 1978, c. 726; 1979, cc. 19, 151; 1980, c. 672; 1981, c. 537, § 10.145.11; 1984, cc. 412, 750; 1985, cc. 263, 267; 1986, cc. 120, 385; 1988, cc. 310, 891, § 10.1-812; 1989, cc. 656, 711; 1992, c. 640; 1994, c. 78; 1995, c. 176; 1997, cc. 72, 255, 270, 811; 1998, c. 233; 1999, c. 473; 2000, c. 114; 2001, cc. 267, 279, 284; 2002, cc. 181, 188, 225; 2003, c. 585; 2006, cc. 489, 630; 2009, c. 53; 2011, cc. 543, 603; 2012, c. 534; 2013, c. 42; 2014, cc. 15, 46, 110; 2016, c. 43.

A. At the direction of the Director, the Comptroller of the Commonwealth is instructed and empowered to draw annual warrants upon the State Treasurer from any sums that may be provided in the general appropriation act, in favor of the treasurers of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (VASSAR) and the Revolutionary War memorial associations caring for cemeteries as set forth in subsection B. Such sums shall be expended by the associations for the routine maintenance of their respective Revolutionary War cemeteries and graves and for the graves of Revolutionary War soldiers and sailors not otherwise cared for in other cemeteries and in erecting and caring for markers, memorials, and monuments to the memory of such soldiers, sailors, and persons rendering service to the Patriot cause in the Revolutionary War. All such associations, through their proper officers, are required after July 1 of each year to submit to the Director a certified statement that the funds disbursed to the association or organization in the preceding fiscal year were or will be expended for the routine maintenance of cemeteries and graves specified in this section and in erecting and caring for markers, memorials, and monuments to the memory of such soldiers, sailors, and persons rendering service to the Patriot cause in the Revolutionary War. If a cemetery association fails to comply with any of the requirements of this section, such association shall be prohibited from receiving moneys allocated under this section for all subsequent fiscal years until the association fully complies with the requirements. No retroactive disbursement of funds for any preceding year shall be made. The Director shall deposit any appropriated funds that are not disbursed during the same fiscal year into the Revolutionary War Cemeteries and Graves Fund created pursuant to § 10.1-2211.1:1.

B. Allocation of appropriations made pursuant to this section shall be based on the number of graves, monuments, and markers as set forth opposite the cemetery name, or as documented by each association multiplied by the rate of $5 or the average actual cost of routine maintenance, whichever is greater, for each grave, monument, or marker in the care of a cemetery association. For the purposes of this section, the "average actual cost of care" shall be determined by the Department in a biennial survey of at least four properly maintained cemeteries, each located in a different geographical region of the Commonwealth.

C. In addition to any sums that may be provided in favor of the associations as set forth in subsection B, the Director shall disburse funds at the same rate to VASSAR to fund its maintenance of no more than 6,000 additional Revolutionary War graves in the Commonwealth, as documented and certified by VASSAR and set forth in a list submitted annually to the Director.

D. Any of the associations and societies set forth in subsection B or C may apply to the Director for grants to perform extraordinary maintenance, renovation, repair, or reconstruction of any of their respective Revolutionary War cemeteries and graves and to erect and care for markers, memorials, and monuments to the memory of such soldiers, sailors, and persons rendering service to the Patriot cause in the Revolutionary War. These grants shall be made from any appropriation made available by the General Assembly for such purpose or from the Revolutionary War Cemeteries and Graves Fund created pursuant to § 10.1-2211.1:1. In making such grants, the Director shall give full consideration to the assistance available from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or other agencies, except in those instances where such assistance is deemed by the Director to be detrimental to the historical, artistic, or architectural significance of the site.

E. Local matching funds shall not be required for grants made pursuant to this section.

2002, c. 256; 2007, c. 349; 2018, cc. 639, 641.

There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Revolutionary War Cemeteries and Graves Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All funds appropriated for such purpose, all funds deposited in the Fund pursuant to subsection A of § 10.1-2211.1, and any gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes set out in subsection D of § 10.1-2211.1. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director.

2018, cc. 639, 641.

A. For purposes of this section:

"Fund" means the Historical African American Cemeteries and Graves Fund created pursuant to § 10.1-2211.3.

"Historical African American cemetery" means a cemetery that was established prior to January 1, 1948, for interments of African Americans.

"Qualified organization" means a charitable corporation, charitable association, or charitable trust that has been granted tax-exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and whose primary purpose is the preservation of historical cemeteries and graves, any person or locality that owns a historical African American cemetery, or any locality whose purpose for applying for funding pursuant to this section is to maintain a neglected historical African American cemetery, or a portion thereof, that is located within its jurisdictional bounds.

B. At the direction of the Director, the Comptroller of the Commonwealth shall draw an annual warrant upon the State Treasurer from any sum that may be provided to the Department in the general appropriation act for the purpose of maintaining qualifying cemeteries and graves pursuant to this section. Any representative of a qualified organization desiring to receive funding from such appropriation for the maintenance of qualifying cemeteries and graves pursuant to this section shall submit an application to the Department on or before May 30 each year. Such appropriations shall be allocated on the bases of both (i) the number of graves, monuments, and markers in a cemetery of African Americans who were alive prior to January 1, 1900, regardless of the date of interment, and (ii) the number of graves, monuments, and markers in a cemetery of African Americans who were born on or after January 1, 1900, and interred in such cemetery prior to January 1, 1948, the dates to be determined by reference to grave markers or, at the discretion of the Director, other historical records. Such number of graves, monuments, and markers, as documented by the qualified organization, shall be multiplied by the rate of $5 or the average actual cost of routine maintenance of a grave, monument, or marker, whichever is greater, to determine the amount of the allocation. The Department shall determine the average actual cost of routine maintenance of a grave, monument, or marker in a biennial survey of at least four properly maintained cemeteries, each located in a different geographical region of the Commonwealth. The Director shall deposit any appropriated funds that are not disbursed during the same fiscal year into the Fund.

C. In addition to any sum provided to a qualified organization as set forth in subsection B, the Director may disburse funds to any qualified organization to fund maintenance and care of additional historical African American graves in the Commonwealth that have been certified by the Department and documented in the Department's cultural resources database. Funds disbursed under this subsection shall be disbursed at the rate set forth in subsection B.

D. A qualified organization receiving funds shall expend the funds for the routine maintenance of its historical African American cemetery, associated graves, and graves certified by the Department and documented in the Department's cultural resources database and the erection of and caring for markers, memorials, and monuments to the memory of such African Americans.

E. Each qualified organization, through its proper officer, shall after July 1 of each year submit to the Director a certified statement that the funds appropriated to the organization during the preceding fiscal year were or will be expended for the purposes set forth in subsection D. No organization that fails to comply with any of the requirements of this section shall receive moneys allocated under this section for any subsequent fiscal year until the organization fully complies with the requirements.

F. In addition to funds that may be provided pursuant to subsection B or C, any organization that receives funds pursuant to subsection B or C may apply to the Director for a grant to perform extraordinary maintenance, renovation, repair, or reconstruction of any of its historical African American cemeteries and graves. However, a locality that is eligible for funding pursuant to subsection B or C may apply to the Director for such a grant without having received funding pursuant to subsection B or C. A locality's application for the grant shall not preclude another qualified organization from applying for funding pursuant to subsection B or C for the same cemetery or grave. A grant made pursuant to this subsection shall be made from any appropriation made available by the General Assembly for such purpose or from the Fund.

G. Any locality may receive and hold funds drawn pursuant to subsection B or C on behalf of any qualified organization until such time as the organization is able to receive or utilize such funds. No local matching funds shall be required for any grants made pursuant to this section.

H. The owner of a historical African American cemetery shall reasonably cooperate with a qualified organization that receives funds pursuant to subsection B or C.

2017, c. 270; 2018, cc. 428, 433, 434, 614, 818; 2019, cc. 184, 251, 252, 257, 260, 268; 2020, cc. 82, 83, 455, 456; 2022, cc. 187, 450, 540, 541; 2023, cc. 95, 96.

There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Historical African American Cemeteries and Graves Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All funds appropriated for such purpose, all funds deposited in the Fund pursuant to subsection B or C of § 10.1-2211.2, and any gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes set out in subsections B and C of § 10.1-2211.2. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director.

2020, cc. 455, 456.

A. At the direction of the Director, the Comptroller of the Commonwealth is instructed and empowered to draw annual warrants upon the State Treasurer, as provided in the general appropriations act, in favor of the treasurers of certain historical societies, museums, foundations, and associations for use in caring for and maintaining collections, exhibits, sites, and facilities owned by such historical organizations, specified as follows:

1. Virginia Historical Society. For aid in maintaining Battle Abbey at Richmond.

2. Confederate Museum at Richmond. For the care of Confederate collections and maintenance of the Virginia Room.

3. Valentine Museum at Richmond. For providing exhibits to the public schools of Virginia.

4. Woodrow Wilson Birthplace Foundation, Incorporated. To aid in restoring and maintaining the Woodrow Wilson home at Staunton.

5. Robert E. Lee Memorial Association, Incorporated. To aid in further development of "Stratford" in Westmoreland County.

6. Poe Foundation, Incorporated. To aid in maintaining the Poe Shrine at Richmond.

7. Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation at Brookneal. To aid in maintaining home.

8. Hanover County Branch, Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. To aid in maintaining the Patrick Henry home at "Scotchtown" in Hanover County.

9. Historic Lexington Foundation. To aid in restoration and maintenance of the Stonewall Jackson home at Lexington.

10. "Oatlands," Incorporated. To aid in maintaining "Oatlands" in Loudoun County.

11. Montgomery County Branch, Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. To aid in maintaining Smithfield Plantation House.

12. The Last Capitol of the Confederacy. For the preservation of the Last Capitol of the Confederacy in Danville.

13. Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. For assistance in maintaining certain historic landmarks throughout the Commonwealth.

14. The Corporation for Jefferson's "Poplar Forest." To aid in restoring, maintaining, and operating "Poplar Forest," Thomas Jefferson's Bedford County home.

15. Belle Grove, Incorporated. To aid in providing educational programs for Virginia students.

16. George Washington's Fredericksburg Foundation. To aid in the restoration and perpetuation of "Ferry Farm," George Washington's boyhood home.

17. Montpelier National Trust for Historic Preservation. To aid in restoring, maintaining, and operating Montpelier, the lifelong home of President James Madison, in Orange County.

18. Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society. To aid in restoring, maintaining and operating Kerr Place in Accomack County.

19. New Town Improvement and Civic Club, Inc. To aid in restoring, maintaining and operating Little England Chapel, a landmark to Hampton's first generation of freedmen, in the City of Hampton.

20. Woodlawn Plantation. To aid in the preservation and maintenance of Woodlawn Plantation.

21. Friends of Historic Huntley. To support the research and preservation of Historic Huntley Mansion.

22. Menokin Foundation, Incorporated. To aid in further development of Menokin, home of Francis Lightfoot Lee.

23. Historic Gordonsville, Inc., the owner of the Gordonsville Exchange Hotel. To aid in maintaining the Gordonsville Exchange Hotel and in providing educational programs for Virginia's students.

B. Organizations receiving state funds as provided for in this section shall certify to the satisfaction of the Department that matching funds from local or private sources are available in an amount at least equal to the amount of the request in cash or in kind contributions which are deemed acceptable to the Department.

C. Requests for funding of historical societies or like organizations as set forth in subsection A shall be considered by the Governor and the General Assembly only in even-numbered years.

1981, c. 537, § 10-145.12; 1984, cc. 2, 528, 563, 750; 1987, c. 481; 1988, c. 891, § 10.1-813; 1989, cc. 656, 711; 1990, c. 817; 1993, c. 264; 1994, cc. 162, 495; 1995, c. 28; 1996, cc. 227, 420; 1998, c. 172; 2000, cc. 7, 18.

A. No state funds, other than for the maintenance and operation of those facilities specified in § 10.1-2211 or 10.1-2212 and for the purchase of property for preservation of historical resources by the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation as provided in Chapter 10.2 (§ 10.1-1017 et seq.) of this title, shall be appropriated or expended for or to organizations, whether localities or private entities, as set forth in the general appropriations act for: (i) the maintenance of collections and exhibits; (ii) the maintenance, operation, and interpretation of historic sites and facilities owned or operated by such organizations; or (iii) operational and educational activities pursuant to subsection C unless:

1. A request and completed application for state aid is filed by the organization with the Department, on forms prescribed by the Department, on or before October 1 prior to each regular session of the General Assembly in an even-numbered year. Requests shall be considered by the Governor and the General Assembly only in even-numbered years. The Department shall review each application made by an organization for state aid prior to consideration by the General Assembly. The Department shall provide a timely review of any amendments proposed by members of the General Assembly to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations. The review shall examine the merits of each request, including data showing the percentage of federal, local, or private funds raised by the organization for the proposed project. The review and analysis provided by the Department shall be strictly advisory. The Department shall forward to the Department of Planning and Budget any application that is not for the maintenance of collections and exhibits or for the maintenance, operation, and interpretation of historic sites and facilities. Such applications shall be governed by the procedures identified in § 2.2-1505.

2. Any such private organization shall certify to the satisfaction of the Department that matching funds from federal, local, or private sources are available in an amount at least equal to the amount of the request in cash or in kind contributions which are deemed acceptable to the Department. These matching funds must be concurrent with the project for which the state grant is requested. Contributions received and spent prior to the state grant shall not be considered in satisfying the requirements of this subdivision.

3. Any such private organization shall provide documentation of its tax exempt status under § 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.

4. Such organization shall certify that the applicant has read and acknowledged all information and requirements regarding how the grants will be administered and how funds will be disbursed.

5. Such organization shall state in its application the purpose of the grant. The grant recipient must justify and request in writing approval by the Department for changes in the scope of the project prior to implementing those changes. If grant funds are used for something other than the purpose for which they were requested without prior review and approval by the Department, then all state funds must be returned.

6. Such organization shall submit documentation on match funding and approved expenditures shall be submitted with all requests for disbursement.

7. Such organization shall provide progress reports as prescribed by the Department. At a minimum such reports shall be submitted with reimbursement requests and a final report at the conclusion of the project.

8. Such organization receiving the state grant shall comply with applicable state procurement requirements pursuant to the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.).

9. In the case of new construction or ground disturbing activities funded by state grants, the organization shall afford the Department an opportunity to review the potential impact on any historic resources. Such review shall be provided by the Department within 15 days of receipt of completed information.

10. For all state grants for capital projects, whether for new construction, rehabilitation, restoration, or reconstruction, funds shall be disbursed only as reimbursement for approved activities.

For the purposes of this section, no grant shall be approved for private institutions of higher education or religious organizations.

B. In addition to the requirements of subsection A of this section, no state funds other than for those facilities specified in § 10.1-2211 or 10.1-2212 shall be appropriated or expended for the rehabilitation, restoration, or reconstruction of any historic site unless:

1. The property is designated as a historic landmark by the Board and is located on the register prepared by the Department pursuant to § 10.1-2202 or has been declared eligible by the Board for such designation but has not actually been placed on the register of buildings and sites provided for in § 10.1-2202;

2. The organization owning such property and any organization managing such property, if different from the owner, enter into an agreement with the Department that the property will be open to the public for at least 100 days per year for no less than five years following completion of the project for which state funds are received;

3. The organization owning the property and any organization managing the project, if different from the owner, submit the plans and specifications of the project to the Department for review and approval to ensure that the project meets generally accepted standards for historic preservation; and

4. The organization owning the property grants to the Commonwealth a perpetual easement placing restrictions on alterations to, or development of, the property satisfactory to the Board, if the organization has received $50,000 or more within a four-year period pursuant to this section. The easement shall be for the purpose of preserving those features of the property which led to its designation as a historic landmark.

Nothing contained in this subsection shall prohibit any organization from charging a reasonable admission fee during the five-year period required in subdivision 2 herein if the fee is comparable to fees charged at similar facilities in the area.

C. The Department shall be responsible for the administration of this section and §§ 10.1-2211 and 10.1-2212 and the disbursement of all funds appropriated thereto.

State funds appropriated for the operation of historical societies, museums, foundations, associations, or other such organizations shall be expended for historical facilities, reenactments, meetings, conferences, tours, seminars, or other general operating expenses as may be specified in the general appropriations act. Funds appropriated for these purposes shall be distributed annually to the treasurers of any such organizations. The appropriations act shall clearly designate that all such funds are to be used for the operating expenses of such organization.

1981, c. 537, § 10-145.13; 1987, c. 481; 1988, c. 891, § 10.1-814; 1989, cc. 656, 711; 1992, cc. 138, 426; 1999, cc. 900, 906; 2005, c. 86; 2010, c. 291.

A. As used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Charitable contribution" means a cash contribution from an individual, estate, corporation, partnership, trust, foundation, fund, association or any other entity or organization provided that (i) the contribution is allowable as a deduction for federal tax purposes or (ii) would have been allowable as a deduction for federal tax purposes had the entity or organization been subject to federal taxes.

"Eligible restoration expenses" means expenses incurred in the material restoration of a historic presidential home and, except in the case of demolition necessary to accomplish the restoration plan, added to the property's capital account.

"Foundation" means an entity that is exempt from federal taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as may be amended, that is primarily responsible for the material restoration of a historic presidential home.

"Historic presidential home" means any home of a President of the United States located in Orange County, Virginia that is individually designated as a National Historic Landmark by the United States Secretary of the Interior.

"Material restoration" means restoration work (i) that restores a historic presidential home to within the period of significance stated in the National Historic Landmark individual designation of such home by the United States Secretary of the Interior, (ii) that is consistent with "The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Restoration," and (iii) the cost of which amounts to at least 50 percent of the assessed value of such home for local real estate tax purposes for the year prior to the initial expenditure of any eligible restoration expenses, unless such home is an owner-occupied building, in which case the cost shall amount to at least 25 percent of the assessed value of such home for local real estate tax purposes for the year prior to the initial expenditure of any eligible restoration expenses.

B. The Commonwealth shall provide matching grants for charitable contributions received on or after July 1, 2003, by the Foundation that are actually spent or expended by the Foundation in the material restoration of a historic presidential home. The amount of the matching grant to be paid by the Commonwealth shall equal $0.20 for each $1 of charitable contribution that is actually spent or expended by the Foundation in the material restoration of a historic presidential home.

C. In January of each calendar year the Foundation shall submit to the Director the total amount of charitable contributions it received that were actually spent or expended in the immediately preceding calendar year for the material restoration of a historic presidential home. As a condition of receiving a matching grant, the Foundation shall at the same time submit to the Director such other information requested by the Director that is reasonably necessary to verify such charitable contributions and the actual use of such contributions.

The Director shall, as soon as practicable after receiving such submission and verifying such charitable contributions and their actual expenditure for the material restoration of a historic presidential home, make a written certification to the Comptroller of the amount of the grant to be paid to the Foundation. The amount of the grant for each calendar year shall be paid to the Foundation in six equal annual installments on March 15 of each year beginning with the year of the Director's certification for the relevant calendar year.

D. In no case shall the total amount of grants paid under this section exceed 20 percent of the estimated eligible restoration expenses of the historic presidential home. The Director is authorized to suspend the processing of charitable contribution submissions made by the Foundation if the Director reasonably believes that (i) such maximum amount may be exceeded or (ii) the material restoration will not be performed or such restoration work has been indefinitely suspended.

2005, c. 470.

A. For purposes of this section, "underwater historic property" means any submerged shipwreck, vessel, cargo, tackle, or underwater archaeological specimen, including any object found at underwater refuse sites or submerged sites of former habitation, that has remained unclaimed on the state-owned subaqueous bottom and has historic value as determined by the Department.

B. Underwater historic property shall be preserved and protected and shall be the exclusive property of the Commonwealth. Preservation and protection of such property shall be the responsibility of all state agencies, including but not limited to the Department, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. Insofar as may be practicable, such property shall be preserved, protected, and displayed for the public benefit within the county or city within which it is found or within a museum operated by a state agency.

C. It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to conduct any type of recovery operations involving the removal, destruction, or disturbance of any underwater historic property without first applying for and receiving a permit from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to conduct such operations pursuant to § 28.2-1203. If the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, after consultation with any federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth pursuant to § 28.2-104.01, and with the concurrence of the Department and in consultation with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and other concerned state agencies, finds that granting the permit is in the best interest of the Commonwealth, it shall grant the applicant a permit. The permit shall provide that all objects recovered shall be the exclusive property of the Commonwealth. The permit shall provide the applicant with a fair share of the objects recovered, or in the discretion of the Department, a reasonable percentage of the cash value of the objects recovered to be paid by the Department. Title to all objects recovered shall be retained by the Commonwealth unless or until they are released to the applicant by the Department. All recovery operations undertaken pursuant to a permit issued under this section shall be carried out under the general supervision of the Department and in accordance with § 28.2-1203 and in such a manner that the maximum amount of historical, scientific, archaeological, and educational information may be recovered and preserved in addition to the physical recovery of items. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission shall not grant a permit to conduct operations at substantially the same location described and covered by a permit previously granted if recovery operations are being actively pursued, unless the holder of the previously granted permit concurs in the grant of another permit.

D. The Department may seek a permit pursuant to this section and § 28.2-1203 to preserve and protect or recover any underwater historic property.

E. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and, in addition, shall forfeit to the Commonwealth any objects recovered.

1984, c. 750, § 10-262; 1988, c. 891, § 10.1-817; 1989, c. 656; 2024, c. 830.