Virginia Law

A. The Capitol Square Preservation Council (the Council) is established in the legislative branch of state government. The Council shall consist of 13 members as follows: three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, after consideration of the lists of nominations provided by the governing bodies of The Garden Club of Virginia, the Historic Richmond Foundation, and Preservation Virginia, if any; two members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, after consideration of the lists of nominations provided by the governing bodies of the Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, if any; five nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Governor, two after consideration of the lists of nominations provided by the governing bodies of the Virginia Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Virginia Historical Society, if any, one from the membership of the Citizens' Advisory Council on Furnishing and Interpreting the Executive Mansion, and two citizens at large; the Secretary of Administration or his designee; and the Clerks of the House of Delegates and the Senate, who shall serve ex officio with voting privileges. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be citizens of the Commonwealth.

B. A personnel committee of the Council is established, consisting of the Clerk of the House of Delegates, the Clerk of the Senate, the Secretary of Administration, and the chairman of the Council or their designees. The personnel committee shall establish the personnel policies for the Chief Administrative Officer of the Council employed pursuant to § 30-194. The Chief Administrative Officer shall report to the personnel committee regarding proposed projects and activities and shall seek the prior approval of the personnel committee for personnel expenditures related to such projects and activities.

C. Following the initial staggering of terms, all appointments to the Council shall be for terms of three years, except any legislative member appointed shall serve a term coincident with his terms of office. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. No member shall be eligible to serve more than two successive three-year terms, except any legislative member appointed may be reappointed for successive terms without limitation. However, after expiration of a term of three years or less, or after the expiration of the remainder of a term to which he was appointed to fill a vacancy, two additional terms may be served by such member if appointed thereto.

D. The members of the Council shall elect from among its membership a chairman and a vice-chairman for two-year terms. The chairman and vice-chairman may not succeed themselves to the same position. The Council shall hold meetings quarterly, or upon the call of the chairman. A majority of the members of the Council shall constitute a quorum.

E. Members of the Council shall not receive compensation, 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. Funding for the costs of expenses of the members shall be provided from existing appropriations to the Council.

F. For the purposes of this article, "Capitol Square" means the grounds and the interior and exterior of all buildings in that area in the City of Richmond bounded by Bank, Governor, Broad, and Ninth Streets. The term also includes the exterior of all state buildings that are at least 50 years old and bordering the boundary streets. The term does not include the interiors of the General Assembly Building, the Washington Building, the Jefferson Building, or the Governor's Mansion.

2002, c. 491; 2004, c. 1000; 2012, cc. 803, 835; 2018, cc. 526, 527.

A. With regard to the architectural, historical, archeological, and landscape features of Capitol Square and antiquities contained therein, the Council shall:

1. Inventory and assess their condition;

2. Develop plans and recommendations for their maintenance and preservation and for the enhancement of their historical and architectural integrity;

3. Develop recommendations for the promotion of activities and efforts that will enhance interpretive and educational opportunities;

4. Review all plans or proposals for alterations, improvements, additions, renovations, or other disposition that is structural or architectural in nature. No implementation of such plans or proposals shall take place prior to review by the Council. The Council shall report its findings on each plan or proposal to the Governor and the agency responsible for the plan or proposal. However, the Council's Chief Administrative Officer and the Director of the Department of General Services shall enter into a memorandum of agreement describing the type of plans and proposals that are of such a routine or operational nature to not require review by the Council; and

5. Review and approve all plans or proposals for alterations, improvements, additions, or renovations to, or other disposition of, any monuments, statuary, artwork, or other historical artifacts contained within the Capitol Building, including within the Rotunda, the old Senate chamber, and the old hall of the House of Delegates, and excluding the new Senate chamber and the new hall of the House of Delegates, office space, and any other area designated as legislative space that is not open to the public. Nothing in this subdivision shall apply to the personal belongings of any employee or elected or appointed official working within the Capitol Building.

B. The Council may employ a Chief Administrative Officer and determine his duties and compensation within the amounts appropriated therefor. The Chief Administrative Officer shall be qualified to carry out the duties to which he is assigned and shall work at the pleasure of the Council. The Council may also obtain such assistance as it may deem necessary, and may employ, within the amounts appropriated therefor, experts who have special knowledge of the issues before the Council.

C. The Council may enter into partnerships, joint ventures, and other collaborative relationships with organizations in furtherance of the Council's duties.

D. The Council may, unless otherwise restricted by the Governor or the General Assembly, under terms approved by the Attorney General, accept gifts and grants in furtherance of its duties. This provision shall be deemed to be in addition to and not in conflict with any other powers or authorities related to the acceptance of gifts and grants under other provisions of this Code.

E. The Council may enter into contracts in the furtherance of its duties in accordance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.).

F. Neither the Council nor its staff in fulfilling their responsibilities shall act in a manner inconsistent with subsection A of § 2.2-1144.

G. The Council shall make a report on its activities and recommendations, if any, annually by December 1 to the Governor and the General Assembly. The Council shall make such further interim reports to the Governor and the General Assembly as it deems advisable or as required by the General Assembly.

2002, c. 491; 2018, cc. 526, 527; 2023, c. 391.

A. The Chief Administrative Officer shall work under the direction and control of the Council and shall exercise the powers and duties conferred upon him by law or requested by the Council pursuant to authorities conferred by this chapter.

B. The Chief Administrative Officer shall be vested with the authority of the Council when it is not in session, subject to guidelines or delegations prescribed by the Council.

C. The Chief Administrative Officer shall, upon request, act as an advisor to the Governor, the Art and Architectural Review Board, the Citizens' Advisory Council on Furnishing and Interpreting the Executive Mansion, and other state agencies dealing with architectural, historical, archeological, and landscape features of Capitol Square.

D. The Chief Administrative Officer may employ an Architectural Historian who shall serve as curator for the architectural, historical, archeological, and landscape features of Capitol Square.

2002, c. 491; 2018, cc. 526, 527.