Virginia Law

Repealed by Acts 2016, c. 588, cl. 10, effective October 1, 2016.

Expired.

Repealed by Acts 2016, c. 588, cl. 10, effective October 1, 2016.

Repealed by Acts 2012, cc. 803 and 835, cl. 112.

Repealed by Acts 2003, c. 885.

Repealed by Acts 2012, cc. 803 and 835, cl. 95.

A. The Debt Capacity Advisory Committee (the Committee) is established as an advisory committee, within the meaning of § 2.2-2100, in the executive branch of state government.

B. The Committee shall consist of the Secretary of Finance; the State Treasurer; the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget; State Comptroller; the Auditor of Public Accounts; the Director of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission; the Staff Director of the House Committee on Appropriations; the Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations; and two citizen members who have expertise in financial matters to be appointed by the Governor.

C. Of the citizen members appointed for terms beginning July 1, 1994, one shall be appointed for an initial term of three years and the other for an initial term of five years. Successors shall be appointed to serve for terms of four years each. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled by appointment of the Governor for the remainder of the unexpired term. All appointments shall be subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. Members shall continue to hold office until their successors have been appointed and qualified.

D. The Secretary of Finance shall be the chairperson of the Committee.

E. All members of the Committee shall serve without compensation but shall receive reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties as provided in § 2.2-2825.

F. The Department of the Treasury shall serve as staff to the Committee.

1994, c. 43, § 2.1-304.2; 2001, c. 844; 2010, c. 32.

The Committee shall have the power and duty to:

1. Annually review the size and condition of the Commonwealth's tax-supported debt and submit to the Governor and to the General Assembly an estimate of the maximum amount of new tax-supported debt that prudently may be authorized for the next biennium. The estimate shall be advisory and in no way bind the Governor or the General Assembly;

2. Annually review the amount and condition of bonds, notes, and other security obligations of the Commonwealth's agencies, institutions, boards, and authorities, for which the (i) Commonwealth has a contingent or limited liability or (ii) General Assembly is permitted to replenish reserve funds if deficiencies occur, and submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual report with the Committee's recommendation to ensure the prudent use of such obligations. Such review shall be submitted on or before January 1 of each year; and

3. Conduct ongoing reviews of the amount and condition of bonds, notes, and other security obligations of the Commonwealth's agencies, institutions, boards, and authorities not secured by the full faith and credit of the Commonwealth or for which the General Assembly is not permitted to replenish reserve funds, and when appropriate, shall recommend limits on such additional obligations to the Governor and to the General Assembly.

1994, c. 43, § 2.1-304.3; 1997, c. 187; 2001, c. 844.

Before January 1 of each year, the Committee shall submit to the Governor and to the General Assembly the Committee's estimate of tax-supported debt that prudently may be authorized for the next fiscal year, together with a report explaining the basis for the estimate. In developing its annual estimate and in preparing its annual report, the Committee shall, at a minimum, consider:

1. The amount of tax-supported debt that, during the next fiscal year and annually for the following nine fiscal years (i) will be outstanding and (ii) has been authorized but not yet issued;

2. A projected schedule of affordable, state tax-supported debt authorizations for the next biennium. The assessment of the affordability of the projected authorizations shall include but not be limited to the considerations specified in this section;

3. Projected debt-service requirements during the next fiscal year and annually for the following nine fiscal years based upon (i) existing outstanding debt, (ii) previously authorized but unissued debt, and (iii) projected bond authorizations;

4. The criteria that recognized bond rating agencies use to judge the quality of issues of Commonwealth bonds;

5. Any other factor that is relevant to (i) the ability of the Commonwealth to meet its projected debt service requirements for the next two fiscal years; (ii) the ability of the Commonwealth to support additional debt service in the upcoming biennium; (iii) the requirements of the statewide capital plan; and (iv) the interest rate to be borne by, the credit rating on, or any other factor affecting the marketability of such bonds; and

6. The effect of authorizations of new tax-supported debt on each of the considerations of this section.

1994, c. 43, § 2.1-304.4; 1997, c. 187; 2001, c. 844.

A. The Veterans Services Foundation (the Foundation) is established as an independent body politic and corporate agency of the Commonwealth supporting the interests of veterans and their families and contributors through the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs and the programs and services of the Department of Veterans Services. The Foundation shall be governed and administered by a board of trustees who may be assisted in the administration of the Foundation by principal staff members, agents, and advisors. The membership of the Foundation shall be composed of the board of trustees, supporting staff, agents, advisors, donors, volunteers, and other interested parties.

B. The Foundation shall (i) administer the Veterans Services Fund (the Fund), (ii) provide funding for veterans services and programs in the Commonwealth through the Fund, and (iii) accept and raise revenue from all sources, including private source fundraising, to support the Fund. The Foundation shall submit a quarterly report to the Commissioner of Veterans Services on the Foundation's funding levels and services and an annual report to the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs and the General Assembly on or before November 30 of each year. The quarterly report shall be submitted electronically. The annual report to the General Assembly shall be submitted for publication as a report document as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

C. The board of trustees of the Foundation shall consist of the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs and the Chairmen of the Board of Veterans Services and the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations or their designees, who shall serve as ex officio voting trustees, and 16 trustees to be appointed as follows: eight nonlegislative citizens appointed by the Governor; five nonlegislative citizens appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and three nonlegislative citizens appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. A majority of the appointed trustees shall be active or retired chairmen, chief executive officers, or chief financial officers for large private corporations or nonprofit organizations or individuals who have extensive fundraising experience in the private sector. Trustees appointed shall, insofar as possible, be veterans. Each appointing authority shall endeavor to ensure a balanced representation of the armed services among the officer and enlisted ranks and geographical representation on the board of trustees to facilitate fundraising efforts across the state.

Trustees shall be appointed for a term of four years. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. All trustees may be reappointed. However, no trustee shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term to which a trustee is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the trustee's eligibility for reappointment. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. Any trustee may be removed at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

D. Trustees shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses incurred while attending meetings of the trustees or performing other duties. However, such reimbursement shall not exceed the per diem rate established for members of the General Assembly pursuant to § 30-19.12.

E. The Department of Veterans Services shall provide the Foundation with administrative and staff support and other services.

F. The trustees shall adopt bylaws governing their organization and procedures and may amend the same. The trustees shall elect a chairman and such other officers as their bylaws may provide. Ex officio trustees who serve as the chairman of another board shall not be eligible to serve as chairman. The trustees shall meet four times a year at such times as they deem appropriate or on call of the chairman. A majority of the voting trustees of the board of trustees shall constitute a quorum.

G. The Department of Veterans Services shall provide qualified finance and development personnel to perform the duties of the treasurer and secretary of the Foundation in accordance with the Foundation's directives. Individuals appointed to perform the duties of treasurer and secretary pursuant to this subsection shall be ex officio, nonvoting officers of the board of trustees.

H. The provisions of the State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act (§ 2.2-3100 et seq.) shall apply to the members of the board of trustees and the employees of the Foundation.

2003, cc. 657, 670; 2004, c. 697; 2006, c. 150; 2008, cc. 467, 486, 768, 872; 2009, c. 368; 2010, c. 64; 2011, cc. 780, 795, 858; 2014, cc. 115, 490; 2015, c. 137; 2016, c. 321; 2017, cc. 505, 622; 2020, c. 1128.

A. The Board may hire an Executive Director of the Foundation, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board, to direct the day-to-day operations and activities of the Foundation and carry out the powers and duties conferred upon him by the trustees. The Executive Director shall also exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be lawfully delegated to him and such powers and duties as may be conferred or imposed upon him by law.

B. Subject to the approval of the board of trustees, the Executive Director may employ or retain such agents, advisors, volunteers, or employees subordinate to him as necessary to fulfill the duties of the Foundation as conferred upon the Executive Director. Employees of the Foundation, including the Executive Director, shall be eligible for membership in the Virginia Retirement System and participation in all of the health and related insurance and other benefits, including premium conversion and flexible benefits, available to state employees as provided by law.

C. Notwithstanding any law or policy to the contrary, the Board shall exercise personnel authority over the Executive Director and other employees of the Board.

2017, cc. 505, 622; 2020, c. 1128.

The board of trustees has the authority to:

1. Administer the Veterans Services Fund, request appropriations, and make allocations of revenue from the Fund to the Department of Veterans Services to provide supplemental funding for the Department's services and programs;

2. Accept, hold, and administer gifts and bequests of money, securities, or other property, absolutely or in trust, for the purposes for which the Foundation is created;

3. Enter into contracts and execute all instruments necessary and appropriate to carry out the Foundation's purposes;

4. Take such actions as may be reasonably necessary to seek, promote, and stimulate contributions for the Fund;

5. Develop other possible dedicated revenue sources for the Fund;

6. Perform any lawful acts necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Foundation; and

7. Develop policies and procedures applicable to the management and functioning of the Foundation and the Department of Veterans Services relating to (i) administration of the Fund, (ii) provision of funding for veterans services and programs through the Fund, and (iii) acceptance and fundraising to strengthen the structure of the Fund.

2003, cc. 657, 670; 2008, cc. 467, 486, 768, 872; 2011, c. 795; 2017, cc. 505, 622; 2020, c. 1128.

The accounts and records of the Foundation showing the receipt and disbursement of funds from whatever source derived shall be established by the Auditor of Public Accounts in a manner similar to other organizations. The Auditor of Public Accounts or his legally authorized representative shall audit the accounts of the Foundation as determined necessary by the Auditor of Public Accounts, and the cost of such audit services shall be borne by the Foundation.

2003, cc. 657, 670; 2018, cc. 57, 307.

A. There is created the Veterans Services Fund, a special nonreverting trust fund on the books of the Comptroller, to be administered by the Foundation.

B. The Fund shall include such funds as may be appropriated by the General Assembly, revenues transferred to the Fund from other state programs established for the Fund's benefit, and designated gifts, contributions, and bequests of money, securities, or other property of whatsoever character.

C. The Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of carrying out the applicable provisions of this article. The unrestricted portion of the Fund may be used for Foundation expenses, subject to approval by the board of trustees. Allocations and expenditures of donated restricted funds shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (§ 64.2-1100 et seq.). Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written authorization of the Executive Director with the approval of the board of trustees.

D. All money, securities, or other property designated for the Fund and any interest or income therefrom shall remain in the Fund and shall not revert to the general fund.

2003, cc. 657, 670; 2010, c. 369; 2017, cc. 505, 622.

Gifts and bequests of money, securities, or other property to the Fund, and the interest or income therefrom, shall be deemed gifts to the Commonwealth, and the Fund shall be exempt from all state and local taxes. Unless otherwise restricted by the terms of the gift or bequest, the Foundation may sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of such gifts and bequests. The proceeds from such transactions shall be deposited to the credit of the Fund. The Foundation may actively solicit private donations for the Fund.

2003, cc. 657, 670.

The Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. Center for Rural Virginia, hereinafter referred to as "the Center," is hereby created as an independent nonprofit local entity without political subdivision status, for the purpose of sustaining economic growth in the rural areas of the Commonwealth and lessening the burdens of government through the activities prescribed in subsection B of § 2.2-2723.

2004, cc. 938, 964; 2005, c. 703; 2024, cc. 132, 133.

A. The Center shall be governed by a board of trustees consisting of 21 members that include six legislative members, 12 nonlegislative citizen members, and three ex officio members to be appointed as follows: four members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; two members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; six nonlegislative citizen members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; four nonlegislative citizen members to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; and two nonlegislative citizen members to be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. The Lieutenant Governor, or his designee, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, or his designee, and the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, or his designee, shall serve ex officio with voting privileges. Nonlegislative citizen members of the Board shall be citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

B. Legislative members and ex officio members shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Initial appointments of nonlegislative citizen members shall be staggered as follows: four members for a term of three years appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; two members for a term of two years appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; and one member for a term of two years appointed by the Governor. Thereafter, nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates or the Senate Committee on Rules shall be appointed for a term of two years, and nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for a term of four years. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. All members may be reappointed. However, no nonlegislative citizen member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates or the Senate Committee on Rules shall serve more than four consecutive two-year terms, and no nonlegislative citizen member appointed by the Governor shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's eligibility for reappointment. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.

C. The Board of Trustees shall elect a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and such other officers as may be necessary from among its membership. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The meetings of the Board shall be held at the call of the chairman or whenever the majority of the members so request.

2004, cc. 938, 964; 2010, cc. 259, 628; 2014, cc. 392, 445.

Legislative members of the Board shall receive such compensation as provided in § 30-19.12, and nonlegislative citizen members shall receive such compensation for the performance of their duties as provided in § 2.2-2813. All members shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825. Funding for the costs of compensation and expenses of the members shall be provided from such funds as may be available to the Center.

2004, cc. 938, 964.

A. The Board of Trustees shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Manage, control, maintain, and operate the Center;

2. Take all actions necessary to qualify the Center as exempt from taxation pursuant to § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and operate the Center in accordance with the provisions governing nonstock corporations as set out in Chapter 10 of Title 13.1, provided that, in the event of the dissolution of the Center, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the Commonwealth or a local government for a public purpose;

3. Establish bylaws as may be necessary for the governance and conduct of business of the Board;

4. Employ and establish the qualifications and duties, and fix salaries and compensation of staff of the Center from such funds as may be available to the Center;

5. Seek federal funds available to state rural development councils, pursuant to the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, P.L. 107-171;

6. Seek, accept, administer, and expend gifts, grants, donations, bequests, and any other funds on behalf of the Center to support and facilitate its work;

7. Accept, administer, and expend donations, bequests, or devises of real and personal property for the endowment of the Center or for any special purpose designated by the donor that is consistent with the purposes of the Center set forth in this article;

8. Have, in addition to its other powers, all the corporate powers given to nonstock corporations by the provisions of Title 13.1. The Board shall also have the power to accept, execute, and administer any trust in which it may have an interest under the terms of the instrument creating the trust;

9. Enter into contracts with respect to the duties and responsibilities imposed upon the Center herein;

10. Report annually concerning the status, needs, and accomplishments of the Center to the Governor and the General Assembly; and

11. Perform any lawful acts necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this article.

B. The Center shall have the following powers and duties:

1. Develop a broad-based constituency to advocate for the interests of rural Virginia in the formulation of the Commonwealth's public policies;

2. Coordinate and facilitate research on rural issues and analyze the effect of public policies and private sector interests on rural communities;

3. Prepare a detailed analysis of rural Virginia economies annually for submission to the Board, together with feasible and appropriate alternatives designed to sustain economic growth in rural areas of the Commonwealth;

4. Facilitate public-private investments in the infrastructure of rural Virginia;

5. Develop programs designed to train local elected officials and community leaders for effective leadership in rural communities;

6. Foster innovative strategies that promote the development and prosperity of rural communities in the Commonwealth;

7. Facilitate the development of incentives and provide a forum for competing interests to allow for job creation and expanded economic opportunities for farm businesses and rural enterprises while ensuring the rights of localities to develop reasonable regulations of such farm businesses and rural enterprises to protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents;

8. Provide for the collection, organization, storage, and dissemination of documents, data, and other information concerning issues relevant to the needs and continuous development of Virginia's rural areas, including technical and research assistance to rural localities in the development and implementation of their strategic plans;

9. Identify potential public and private resources for the Board's consideration and review that may be used to generate additional funds to support and facilitate the Center's work and foster the development of rural communities;

10. Submit to the Board of Trustees such reports regarding the Center's work, including, but not limited to, programs, activities, policy analyses, and financial statements, as may be requested by the Board; and

11. Perform such other acts as may be necessary to accomplish the objectives of this article.

2004, cc. 938, 964; 2005, c. 703; 2010, cc. 797, 833.

The Board shall employ an executive director and such other persons as it deems necessary to assist it in performing its duties as set forth in this article, and, at its pleasure, remove such employees. The Board shall determine the duties of all staff and fix the salaries and compensation of such persons within the amounts allocated therefor from such funds as may be available to the Board.

2004, cc. 938, 964.

Expired.

Repealed by Acts 2011, cc. 780 and 858, cl. 2, effective April 6, 2011, and Acts 2011, cc. 594 and 681, cl. 2.

The Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation (the Foundation) is hereby established as a body politic and corporate. The purpose of the Foundation is to encourage the economic development of Southwest Virginia through the expansion of cultural and natural heritage ventures and initiatives related to tourism and other asset-based enterprises, including the Heartwood: Southwest Virginia's Artisan Center, The Crooked Road, 'Round the Mountain, and other related cultural and natural heritage organizations and venues that promote entrepreneurial and employment opportunities.

2011, cc. 521, 548.

A. The Foundation shall be administered by a board of trustees, consisting of 23 members as follows: two members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; three members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; two nonlegislative citizen members who shall be residents of Southwest Virginia and two nonlegislative citizen members who shall be executive directors of either Planning District Commission 1, 2, 3, 4, or 12 or their designees, to be appointed by the Governor; one nonlegislative citizen member who shall be an elected or appointed official of the Town of Abingdon to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation, if any, of the Abingdon Town Council; one nonlegislative citizen member who shall be an elected or appointed official of Washington County to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation, if any, of the Washington County Board of Supervisors; four nonlegislative citizen members who shall be artisans and members of 'Round the Mountain, who shall be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the executive committee of 'Round the Mountain; and one nonlegislative citizen member who shall represent the Ninth Congressional District and serve as a member of the Virginia Commission for the Arts, to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation, if any, of the Executive Director of the Virginia Commission for the Arts. The President of Virginia Highlands Community College or his designee shall serve ex officio with nonvoting privileges. The Chairman of The Crooked Road, the Chairman of 'Round the Mountain, the Chairman of the Friends of Southwest Virginia, the Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, the Director of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, and the Executive Director of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center or their designees shall serve ex officio with voting privileges.

B. Legislative members and ex officio members of the Foundation board of trustees shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired term. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. All members may be reappointed.

C. No House member shall serve more than four consecutive two-year terms, no Senate member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms, and no nonlegislative citizen member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's eligibility for reappointment.

D. Legislative members shall receive such compensation as provided in § 30-19.12. All members of the Foundation shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825. Funding for the costs of compensation and expenses of the members shall be provided by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

E. The Foundation shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among its members and may appoint such other officers as it deems necessary. The Foundation shall appoint an executive committee and such other committees as it deems necessary to oversee personnel and other areas related to operations and the achievement of the goals of the Foundation.

2011, cc. 521, 548; 2013, c. 447.

A. The Foundation shall have the power and duty to:

1. Accept, execute, and administer any trust in which it may have an interest under the terms of the instrument creating the trust;

2. Establish and administer agreements with public or private agencies in order to achieve its goals;

3. Rent, lease, including the execution of leases with option to purchase, buy, own, acquire, and dispose of such property, real and personal, as the Foundation deems proper to carry out any of the purposes and provisions of this article;

4. Finance, fund, plan, establish, construct, enlarge, extend, equip, update, and maintain buildings, structures, and facilities that are necessary or desirable to achieve its goals;

5. Establish a corporation eligible for exemption from income taxation under § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code to assist in carrying out the purposes of the Foundation;

6. Operate, manage, and oversee the retail sales, demonstration, performance, and interpretation of artisan, musical, or other cultural activities, food and visitor services, and other functions as may be necessary or desirable to achieve its goals;

7. Employ and compensate such employees and agents as the Foundation deems necessary. The Foundation may appoint an executive director who shall be authorized to employ such staff as necessary to enable the Foundation to achieve its goals. The Foundation shall determine the duties of such staff and fix salaries and compensation from such funds as may be received;

8. Borrow and seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from public or private sources;

9. Manage the operations of any existing or new facility in accordance with the provisions of this article;

10. Facilitate the sustainability of economic development initiatives relating to the cultural and natural heritage of Southwest Virginia by providing financial resources and technical assistance to organizations and venues that contribute to achieving the goals of the Foundation;

11. Serve as a resource and referral center by maintaining and disseminating information about Southwest Virginia cultural and natural heritage efforts and venues;

12. Develop specific goals and initiatives intended to improve the quality of life and entrepreneurial opportunities in Southwest Virginia in coordination with the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Southwest Virginia tourism and economic development organizations, local governments, and other entities; and

13. Submit to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than the first day of each regular session of the General Assembly an annual report for publication as a report document in accordance with the procedures established by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for legislative documents and reports.

B. The Foundation may establish nonprofit, nonstock corporations under Chapter 10 (§ 13.1-801 et seq.) of Title 13.1 as public instrumentalities exercising public and essential governmental functions to assist the Foundation in (i) encouraging the economic development of Southwest Virginia through the expansion of cultural and natural heritage ventures and initiatives related to tourism and other asset-based enterprises, including the Southwest Virginia Artisan Center, The Crooked Road, 'Round the Mountain, and related cultural and natural heritage organizations and venues that promote entrepreneurial and employment opportunities and (ii) conducting other activities useful in carrying out the provisions of this article.

The board of directors of any such corporation shall be composed of the chairman of the Foundation and eight persons appointed by the Foundation. The terms of the members of any corporation established shall be four years.

The Foundation shall require any such corporation to report to it at least annually on its activities.

2011, cc. 521, 548.

The Department of Housing and Community Development shall provide additional staff support to the Foundation. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Foundation, upon request.

2011, cc. 521, 548.

A. The Virginia International Trade Corporation (the Corporation) is established in the executive branch of state government. The purpose of the Corporation shall be to promote international trade in the Commonwealth.

B. The Corporation shall be governed by a board of directors (the Board) composed of 16 members as follows: the Secretaries of Agriculture and Forestry, Commerce and Trade, Finance, and Transportation, or their designees, serving ex officio with voting privileges, and 12 nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. The members appointed by the Governor shall have experience as senior management personnel or leaders in the areas of agriculture, finance, development, international business, manufacturing, and trade with at least two having background and experience specific to agriculture. Ex officio members of the Board shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. After the initial staggering of terms, nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for a term of six years. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be citizens of the Commonwealth.

C. The Board shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among its members. The Secretaries of Agriculture and Forestry, Commerce and Trade, Finance, and Transportation shall not be eligible to serve as chairman or vice-chairman.

D. The Board shall meet at least four times annually and more often if deemed necessary or advisable by the chairman.

E. Members of the Board shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825.

2016, c. 749; 2020, c. 738.

The Governor, in consultation with the Board, shall appoint a Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall perform the duties and exercise the functions the Corporation assigns to him. He shall receive a salary for his services to be paid by the Corporation subject to the approval of the Governor. The Chief Executive Officer shall employ or retain such agents or employees subordinate to him as may be necessary to fulfill the duties of the Corporation as conferred upon the Chief Executive Officer. Employees of the Corporation, including the Chief Executive Officer, shall be eligible for membership in the Virginia Retirement System and participation in all of the health and related insurance and other benefits, including premium conversion and flexible benefits, available to state employees as provided by law.

2016, c. 749.

The Corporation shall have the power and duty to:

1. Periodically assess (i) product and services promotion activities with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and (ii) suggestions from relevant industries on ways to increase exports of Virginia products;

2. Ensure the preparation and execution of effective international trade development marketing and promotional programs, inclusive of both international export and international import programs when economic benefit accrues to Virginia's economy and businesses;

3. Make available to businesses across the Commonwealth, in conjunction and cooperation with business trade associations, chambers of commerce, universities, and other public and private groups, international trade development programs and services;

4. Encourage and solicit private sector involvement, support, and funding for international trade development in the Commonwealth;

5. Encourage the coordination of international trade development efforts of public institutions, business associations, chambers of commerce, and private industry and collect and maintain data on the development and utilization of international trade development capabilities;

6. Offer a program for the issuance of international documentation for companies located in the Commonwealth if no federal agency or other regulatory body or issuing entity will provide international documentation in a form deemed necessary for international commerce;

7. Adopt, amend, and repeal bylaws, rules, and regulations, not inconsistent with this article, for the administration and regulation of its affairs, to carry into effect the powers and purposes of the Corporation, and for the conduct of its business;

8. Maintain an office at any place within or without the Commonwealth that it designates;

9. Make and execute contracts and all other instruments and agreements necessary or convenient for the performance of its duties and the exercise of its owners and functions under this article;

10. Employ officers, employees, agents, advisers, and consultants, including without limitation financial advisers and other technical advisers and public accountants, and, the provisions of any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, to determine their duties and compensation without the approval of any other agency or instrumentality;

11. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, transfer, and otherwise dispose of all or any part of its properties and assets;

12. Procure insurance, in amounts and from insurers of its choice, or provide self-insurance, against any loss, cost, or expense in connection with its property, assets, or activities, including insurance or self-insurance against liability for its acts or the acts of its directors, employees, or agents and for the indemnification of the members of its Board and its employees and agents;

13. Establish and revise, amend and repeal, and charge and collect fees and charges in connection with any activities or services of the Corporation;

14. Make grants with any funds of the Corporation available for this purpose;

15. Develop policies and procedures generally applicable to the procurement of goods, services, and construction based on competitive principles;

16. Raise money in the corporate, nonprofit, and nonstate communities to finance the Corporation's activities;

17. Receive and accept from any source aid, grants, and contributions of money, property, labor, or other things of value to be held, used, and applied to carry out the purposes of this article subject to the conditions upon which the aid, grants, or contributions are made;

18. Enter into agreements with any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, the Commonwealth, the District of Columbia, or any state for purposes consistent with its mission;

19. Maintain accounts and records as prescribed by the Auditor of Public Accounts, who shall annually audit the accounts of the Corporation; and

20. Do any acts necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers granted or reasonably implied by this article and not otherwise inconsistent with state law.

2016, c. 749.

The Commonwealth may make grants of money or property to the Corporation for the purpose of enabling it to carry out its purposes and for the exercise of its duties. This section shall not be construed to limit any other power the Commonwealth may have to make grants to the Corporation.

2016, c. 749.

The Corporation shall be performing an essential governmental function in the exercise of the powers conferred upon it by this article. Accordingly, the Corporation shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon any project or any property or upon any operations of the Corporation or the income therefrom. Agents, lessees, sublessees, or users of tangible personal property owned by or leased to the Corporation also shall not be required to pay any sales or use tax upon such property or the revenue derived therefrom.

2016, c. 749.

The provisions of the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.) and the Virginia Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.) shall not apply to the Corporation.

2016, c. 749.