dcrodriguez/Code-of-Virginia huggingface dataset:
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 1 (CODE OF VIRGINIA)
§ 1-1. Contents and designation of Code.
The laws embraced in this and the following titles, chapters, articles and sections of this act shall constitute, and be designated and cited as the "Code of Virginia," hereinafter referred to as "the Code" or "this Code."

Code 1919, § 1; R. P. 1948, § 1-1.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 1 (CODE OF VIRGINIA)
§ 1-2. Effective date of Code.
All the provisions of this Code shall be in force on and after February 1, 1950, except as provided in § 1-2.1.

Code 1919, § 6567; R. P. 1948, § 1-2.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 1 (CODE OF VIRGINIA)
§ 1-2.1. Effective date of certain provisions.
The following provisions of this Code shall become effective July 1, 1948, namely:

Chapter 1 of Title 1; Chapters 1, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, and 16 of Title 2; Chapter 13 of Title 3; Chapter 11 of Title 6; Chapters 2 and 5 of Title 9; all of Title 10; Article 7 of Chapter 1 of Title 14; Article 3 of Chapter 6 of Title 18; Chapter 2 of Title 19; Chapter 3 of Title 24; Chapter 3 of Title 27; Chapters 15 and 19 of Title 32; all of Title 41; Article 4 of Chapter 6 of Title 42; Articles 2 and 12 of Chapter 1 of Title 44 and all of Chapter 2 of Title 44; Chapter 3 of Title 51; Chapter 1 of Title 52; Chapters 1 through 14, inclusive, of Title 53; Chapter 24 of Title 54; Chapters 12 and 13 of Title 59; Chapter 7 of Title 62; all of Title 63 except Chapter 13.

R. P. 1948, § 1-2.1.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 1 (CODE OF VIRGINIA)
§ 1-3. Repeal of acts of a general nature.
All acts and parts of acts of a general nature, in force at the time of the adoption of this Code, shall be repealed from and after February 1, 1950, with such limitations and exceptions as are hereinafter expressed; and all acts and parts of acts of a general nature in force at the time of the adoption of this Code, and in conflict with any of the provisions of this Code which by virtue of § 1-2.1 become effective on July 1, 1948, shall be repealed from and after July 1, 1948, with such limitations and exceptions as are hereinafter expressed.

Code 1919, § 6567; R. P. 1948, § 1-3.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 1 (CODE OF VIRGINIA)
§ 1-4. Effect of such repeal generally; effect of revision or amendment of state Constitution.
No such repeal nor any amendment or revision of the Constitution of Virginia shall affect any offense or act committed or done, or any penalty or forfeiture incurred, or any right established, accrued, or accruing before the day upon which such repeal, amendment or revision takes effect, or any prosecution, suit, or proceeding pending on that day, except that the proceedings thereafter had shall conform, so far as practicable, to the provisions of this Code; and where any penalty, forfeiture, or punishment is mitigated by those provisions, such provisions may, with the consent of the party affected, be applied to any judgment to be pronounced after that day; and such repeal, amendment or revision as to any statute of limitations, under which the bar of a right of action or remedy is complete at the time the repeal, amendment or revision takes effect, shall not be deemed a removal of such bar, but the bar shall continue, notwithstanding such repeal, amendment or revision.

Code 1919, § 6569; R. P. 1948, § 1-4; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 14.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 1 (CODE OF VIRGINIA)
§ 1-5. Effect of such repeal as to persons in office.
All persons who, at the time when such repeal takes effect, shall hold any office under any of the acts hereby repealed, shall continue to hold the same according to the tenure thereof, except those offices which may have been abolished, and those as to which a different provision is made by this Code.

Code 1919, § 6571; R. P. 1948, § 1-5.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 1 (CODE OF VIRGINIA)
§ 1-6. Effect of repeal of validating statutes.
The repeal by any provisions of this Code of a statute validating previous acts, contracts or transactions shall not affect the validity of such acts, contracts or transactions, but the same shall remain as valid as if there had been no such repeal, but no further.

Code 1919, § 8; R. P. 1948, § 1-6.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 1 (CODE OF VIRGINIA)
§ 1-7. Acts passed between certain dates not affected.
The enactment of this Code shall not affect any act passed by the General Assembly, which shall have become a law after January 14, 1948, and before February 1, 1950; but every such act shall have full effect, and so far as the same varies from or conflicts with any provision contained in this Code it shall have effect as a subsequent act, and as repealing any part of this Code inconsistent therewith; provided, however, that any such act which becomes a law between said dates and which amends and reenacts, or reenacts any previously existing provisions of law conferring any power or imposing any duty upon any department, board, commission, agency or officer of the state government whose functions, powers and duties are affected by any of the provisions of this Code becoming effective July 1, 1948, shall be construed as conferring the powers and imposing the duties specified therein upon the department, board, commission, agency or officer of the state government to which or to whom the duties and powers imposed or conferred by such previously existing provisions of law were transferred by the provisions of this Code becoming effective July 1, 1948.

Code 1919, § 6568; R. P. 1948, § 1-7.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 1 (CODE OF VIRGINIA)
§ 1-8. Notice, recognizance or process given, taken or issued before Code in force.
Although a notice, recognizance or process shall have been given, taken or issued before the day prescribed for the commencement of this Code, or of any provisions of this Code, it may, nevertheless, be given, taken or returnable to a day after such commencement, or to a court established by this Code or the clerk's office of such court, in like manner as if this Code had commenced before the same was given, taken, or issued.

Code 1919, § 6570; R. P. 1948, § 1-8.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 1 (CODE OF VIRGINIA)
§ 1-9. Pending cases; parties; where books, records and papers to remain.
Nothing in this Code shall operate to discontinue any cause or matter, civil or criminal, which shall be pending and undetermined in any court on the day before this Code, or any provision of this Code, takes effect; but every such cause and matter shall be proceeded in, tried and determined in such court, or in the court which succeeds to or has its jurisdiction, and in the names of the same parties, or in the names of any officers, boards, commission, or other persons or bodies who may have succeeded under the provisions of this Code to the rights or obligations of such parties, or any of them. The papers and records of such causes and matters, and all books, records and papers whatever which on such day may be in the custody of any clerk of a court shall remain in custody of the clerk of the same, or of such court as succeeds to or has its jurisdiction.

Code 1919, § 6570; R. P. 1948, § 1-9.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2 (COMMON LAW, STATUTES AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION [Repealed])
§ 1-10. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2005, c. 839, cl. 10, effective October 1, 2005.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-200. The common law.
The common law of England, insofar as it is not repugnant to the principles of the Bill of Rights and Constitution of this Commonwealth, shall continue in full force within the same, and be the rule of decision, except as altered by the General Assembly.

Code 1919, § 2, § 1-10; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-201. Acts of Parliament.
The right and benefit of all writs, remedial and judicial, given by any statute or act of Parliament, made in aid of the common law prior to the fourth year of the reign of James the First, of a general nature, not local to England, shall still be saved, insofar as the same are consistent with the Bill of Rights and Constitution of this Commonwealth and the Acts of Assembly.

Code 1919, § 3, § 1-11; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-202. General rule of construction.
The rules and definitions set forth in this chapter shall be used in the construction of this Code and the acts of the General Assembly, unless the construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intention of the General Assembly.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 20; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-203. Adult.
"Adult" means a person 18 years of age or more.

1972, cc. 824, 825, § 1-13.42; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-204. Age of majority.
For the purposes of all laws of the Commonwealth including common law, case law, and the acts of the General Assembly, unless an exception is specifically provided in this Code, a person shall be an adult, shall be of full age, and shall reach the age of majority when he becomes 18 years of age.

1972, cc. 824, 825, § 1-13.42; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-205. Bond with surety.
"Bond with surety" includes the payment in cash of the full amount of the required bond and, in such case, no surety shall be required.

1977, c. 156, § 1-13.1:1; 2005, c. 839.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-206. Certified mail equivalent to registered mail; certain subsequent mail or notice may be sent by regular mail.
A. If any mail or notice is required to be sent by registered mail, it shall constitute compliance with this requirement if such mail or notice is sent by certified mail.

B. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, whenever a state agency is required to send any mail or notice by certified mail and such mail or notice is sent certified mail, return receipt requested, then any subsequent, identical mail or notice that is sent by such state agency may be sent by regular mail.

C. As used in this section, "state agency" means the same as that term is defined in § 2.2-4347.

1956, c. 647, § 1-15.1; 2005, c. 839; 2011, c. 566.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-207. Child; juvenile; minor; infant.
"Child," "juvenile," "minor," "infant," or any combination thereof means a person less than 18 years of age.

1972, cc. 824, 825, § 1-13.42; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-208. City.
"City" means an independent incorporated community which became a city as provided by law before noon on July 1, 1971, or which has within defined boundaries a population of 5,000 or more and which has become a city as provided by law.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 21; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 49, § 1-13.2; 1995, c. 155; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-208.1. Carbon-free energy; clean energy.
A. "Carbon-free energy" or "clean energy" includes electric energy generated from a source that does not emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere during the process of generating the electric energy, including electric energy generated by the conversion of sunlight, wind, falling water, wave motion, tides, geothermal, fusion energy, or nuclear energy.

B. As used in this section, "fusion energy" means the energy generated through the process of fusing together atomic nuclei.

2020, c. 811; 2025, cc. 140, 154.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-209. Collegial body.
"Collegial body" means a governmental entity whose power or authority is vested within its membership.

2004, c. 651, § 1-13.4:1; 2005, c. 839.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-210. Computation of time.
A. When an act of the General Assembly or rule of court requires that an act be performed a prescribed amount of time before a motion or proceeding, the day of such motion or proceeding shall not be counted against the time allowed, but the day on which such act is performed may be counted as part of the time. When an act of the General Assembly or rule of court requires that an act be performed within a prescribed amount of time after any event or judgment, the day on which the event or judgment occurred shall not be counted against the time allowed.

B. When the last day for performing an act during the course of a judicial proceeding falls on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or any day or part of a day on which the clerk's office is closed as authorized by an act of the General Assembly, the act may be performed on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or day or part of a day on which the clerk's office is closed as authorized by an act of the General Assembly.

C. When an act of the General Assembly specifies a maximum period of time in which a legal action may be brought and the last day of that period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or day or part of a day on which the clerk's office is closed as authorized by an act of the General Assembly, the action may be brought on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or day or part of a day on which the clerk's office is closed as authorized by an act of the General Assembly.

D. Any court or proceeding authorized to be adjourned from day to day shall not be required to meet on a Sunday or legal holiday.

E. When an act of the General Assembly or local governing body, order of the court, or administrative regulation or order requires, either by specification of a date or by a prescribed period of time, that an act be performed or an action be filed on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday or on any day or part of a day on which the state or local government office where the act to be performed or the action to be filed is closed, the act may be performed or the action may be filed on the next business day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or day on which the state or local government office is closed.

F. For the purposes of this section, any day on which the Governor authorizes the closing of the state government shall be considered a legal holiday.

Code 1919, § 5; 1932, p. 24; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, pp. 21, 23, §§ 1-13.3, 1-13.27; 1962, cc. 104, 284, § 1-13.3:1; 1977, c. 93; 1986, c. 166; 1987, c. 92; 2005, c. 839; 2008, c. 816; 2010, c. 96; 2014, c. 596.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-211. Constitutional references.
Whenever any act of the General Assembly in effect at noon on July 1, 1971, refers to any section, article, or provision of the prior Constitution of Virginia, such reference shall apply to any comparable section, article, or provision of the Constitution of Virginia then in effect unless the construction would be contrary to the legislative intent of the act.

1971, Ex. Sess., c. 49, § 1-13.41; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-211.1. Courthouse; posting of notices.
If any notice, summons, order, or other official document of any type is required to be posted pursuant to a provision of the Code on or at the front door of a courthouse or on a public bulletin board at a courthouse, it shall constitute compliance with this requirement if the notice, summons, order, or other official document is (i) posted on the public government website of the locality served by the court or the website of any court, court clerk, sheriff, or commissioner of accounts of the locality or (ii) posted with other such documents where such notice, summons, order, or other official document is posted or at or near the principal public entrance to the courthouse in a location that is conspicuous to the public and approved by the chief judge of the circuit in which the courthouse is situated.

2007, c. 734; 2014, c. 269; 2015, c. 631; 2022, c. 683; 2023, c. 598; 2024, c. 655.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-212. Courts of record.
"Courts of record" means the Supreme Court of Virginia, the Court of Appeals of Virginia, and the circuit courts.

1971, Ex. Sess., c. 49, § 1-13.5:1; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-213. Delegation of duties assigned to political subdivision.
The governing body of a political subdivision shall be responsible for any duty or responsibility imposed upon its political subdivision.

1986, c. 239, § 1-17.2; 1987, c. 471; 1988, c. 273; 2005, c. 839.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-214. Effective dates.
A. All laws enacted at a regular session of the General Assembly, including laws which are enacted by reason of actions taken during the reconvened session following a regular session, but excluding general appropriation acts, decennial reapportionment acts, and emergency acts, shall take effect on the first day of July following the adjournment of the regular session at which they were enacted, unless a subsequent date is specified.

B. All laws enacted at a special session of the General Assembly, including laws which are enacted by reason of actions taken during the reconvened session following a special session, but excluding general appropriations acts, decennial reapportionment acts, and emergency acts, shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month following the month of adjournment of the special session at which they were enacted, unless a subsequent date is specified.

C. A general appropriation act shall take effect from its passage, unless another effective date is specified in the act.

D. An emergency act shall take effect from its passage, or on a subsequent date if specified in the act, provided that the emergency shall be expressed in the body of the act and that the emergency shall be approved by a four-fifths vote of the members voting in each house of the General Assembly. The name of each member voting and how he voted shall be recorded in the journal.

E. A decennial reapportionment act to reapportion the Commonwealth into electoral districts shall take effect immediately.

Code 1919, § 4; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 49, § 1-12; 1981, c. 329; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-215. Ex officio.
"Ex officio" means service by virtue of one's office and includes voting privileges for ex officio members unless otherwise provided.

2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-216. Gender.
A word used in the masculine includes the feminine and neuter.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 21, § 1-13.7; 1997, c. 406; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-217. Headlines of sections.
The headlines of the sections printed in black-face type are intended as mere catchwords to indicate the contents of the sections and do not constitute part of the act of the General Assembly.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 21, § 1-13.9; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-218. Includes.
"Includes" means includes, but not limited to.

2005, c. 839.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-219. Land; real estate.
"Land," "lands," or "real estate" includes lands, tenements and hereditaments, and all rights and appurtenances thereto and interests therein, other than a chattel interest.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 22, § 1-13.12; 2005, c. 839.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-220. Local ordinances incorporating state law by reference.
When counties, cities and towns are empowered to incorporate by reference provisions of the Code, acts of the General Assembly, or state regulations into a local ordinance, any ordinance incorporating by reference provisions of the Code, acts of the General Assembly or state regulations may include future amendments to the provisions of the Code, acts of the General Assembly or state regulations provided such intent is specifically stated in such ordinance.

1993, c. 710, § 1-13.39:2; 2001, c. 771; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-221. Locality.
"Locality" means a county, city, or town as the context may require.

2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-222. Majority authority.
Whenever authority is conferred by law to three or more persons, a majority of such persons shall have the power to exercise such authority, unless otherwise provided.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 21, § 1-13.1; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-222.1. Manufacturer.
"Manufacturer" shall not include any farm or aggregation of farms that owns and operates facilities within the Commonwealth for the generation of electric energy from waste-to-energy technology. As used in this definition, (i) "farm" means any person that obtains at least 51 percent of its annual gross income from agricultural operations and produces the agricultural waste used as feedstock for the waste-to-energy technology, (ii) "agricultural waste" means biomass waste materials capable of decomposition that are produced from the raising of plants and animals during agricultural operations, including animal manures, bedding, plant stalks, hulls, and vegetable matter, and (iii) "waste-to-energy technology" means any technology, including but not limited to a methane digester, that converts agricultural waste into gas, steam, or heat that is used to generate electricity on-site.

2009, c. 746.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-223. Month; year.
"Month" means a calendar month and "year" means a calendar year.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, pp. 22, 24, §§ 1-13.13, 1-13.33; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-224. Municipality; incorporated communities; municipal corporation.
"Municipality," "incorporated communities," "municipal corporation," and words or terms of similar import mean cities and towns.

2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-225. Nonlegislative citizen member.
"Nonlegislative citizen member" means any natural person who is not a member of the General Assembly of Virginia.

2004, c. 709, § 1-13.13:1; 2005, c. 839.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-226. Notary.
"Notary" means notary public.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 22, § 1-13.14; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-227. Number.
A word used in the singular includes the plural and a word used in the plural includes the singular.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 22, § 1-13.15; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-228. Oath.
"Oath" includes affirmation.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 22, § 1-13.16; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-229. Optional form of county government; effect of change in form.
Whenever any county, city, town, political subdivision, or combination thereof is identified in an act of the General Assembly by reference to its proximity to a county that has adopted an optional form of government provided in Title 15.2, and that county changes its form of government, the act shall continue to apply to such county, city, town, political subdivision, or combination thereof and shall cease to apply only upon the subsequent enactment by the General Assembly of a measure in which such intent clearly is stated.

1990, c. 253, § 1-13.35:1; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-230. Person.
"Person" includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 22, § 1-13.19; 1988, c. 36; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-231. When "person" includes business trust and limited liability company.
Whenever the term "person" is defined to include both "corporation" and "partnership," such term shall also include "business trust and limited liability company."

2002, c. 621, § 1-13.19:1; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-232. Person under disability.
"Person under disability" includes a person less than 18 years of age.

1972, cc. 824, 825, § 1-13.42; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-233. Personal estate.
"Personal estate" includes chattels real and such other estate as, upon the death of the owner intestate, would devolve upon his personal representative.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 22, § 1-13.20; 2005, c. 839.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-234. Personal representative.
"Personal representative" includes the executor of a will or the administrator of the estate of a decedent, the administrator of such estate with the will annexed, the administrator of such estate unadministered by a former representative, whether there is a will or not, any person who is under the order of a circuit court to take into his possession the estate of a decedent for administration, and every other curator of a decedent's estate, for or against whom suits may be brought for causes of action that accrued to or against the decedent.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 22, § 1-13.21; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 49; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-235. Population; inhabitants.
"Population" or "inhabitants" means with reference to any county, city, town, political subdivision of the Commonwealth or any combination thereof, the natural persons in such county, city, town, political subdivision or combination as shown by the unadjusted United States decennial census last preceding the time at which any provision dependent upon population is being applied or the time as of which it is being construed. Where two or more political subdivisions are consolidated, the population of the consolidated county or city or other political subdivision shall be the combined population of the consolidating subdivisions, under the last preceding unadjusted United States decennial census.

1942, p. 668; Michie Code 1942, § 5a; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 23, § 1-13.22; 1954, c. 295, § 1-13.10:1; 1958, c. 330; 1966, c. 78; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-236. Population classifications.
Any act of the General Assembly with a population classification applicable to any county, city, town, or subdivision of the Commonwealth or any combination thereof shall continue to apply to any such body notwithstanding any subsequent change in population and shall apply to any county, city, town, or political subdivision of the Commonwealth or any combination thereof subsequently falling within such population classification. The provisions of this section shall not apply to, or limit, the distribution of any state funds, grants-in-aid, or other allocation from the state treasury, to any county, city, town, or other political subdivision of the Commonwealth.

1950, pp. 464, 465, §§ 1-13.35, 1-13.36; 1960, cc. 251, 307; 1962, c. 315; 1964, c. 404; 1966, c. 78; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-237. Process.
"Process" includes subpoenas, the summons and complaint in a civil action, and process in statutory actions.

1954, c. 543, § 1-13.23:1; 1986, c. 155; 2005, cc. 681, 839.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-238. Reenacted.
"Reenacted," when used in the title or enactment of a bill or act of the General Assembly, means that the changes enacted to a section of the Code of Virginia or an act of the General Assembly are in addition to the existing substantive provisions in that section or act, and are effective prospectively unless the bill expressly provides that such changes are effective retroactively on a specified date.

The provisions of this section are declaratory of existing public policy and law.

2001, c. 720, § 1-13.39:3; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-239. Repeal not to affect liabilities; mitigation of punishment.
No new act of the General Assembly shall be construed to repeal a former law, as to any offense committed against the former law, or as to any act done, any penalty, forfeiture, or punishment incurred, or any right accrued, or claim arising under the former law, or in any way whatever to affect any such offense or act so committed or done, or any penalty, forfeiture, or punishment so incurred, or any right accrued, or claim arising before the new act of the General Assembly takes effect; except that the proceedings thereafter held shall conform, so far as practicable, to the laws in force at the time of such proceedings; and if any penalty, forfeiture, or punishment be mitigated by any provision of the new act of the General Assembly, such provision may, with the consent of the party affected, be applied to any judgment pronounced after the new act of the General Assembly takes effect.

Code 1919, § 6, § 1-16; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-240. Repeal not to revive former act.
When an act of the General Assembly that has repealed another act shall itself be repealed, the previous act shall not be revived without express words to that effect, unless the act repealing it be passed during the same session.

Code 1919, § 7, § 1-17; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-240.1. Rights of parents.
A parent has a fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent's child.

2013, cc. 668, 678.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-241. Seal.
"Seal," when required to be affixed by any court or public office to any paper, includes an impression or print of such official seal made upon the paper. When the seal of any natural person is required, it shall be sufficient for the person to place a mark intended as a seal.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 23, § 1-13.25; 1975, c. 500; 2005, c. 839.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-242. Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.
"Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections," whenever the Committee is referred to as an appointing authority, means the Senate Committee designated under the Rules of the Senate to make Senate appointments to study committees and commissions.

2004, c. 709, § 1-13.25:1; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-243. Severability.
The provisions of acts of the General Assembly or the application thereof to any person or circumstances that are held invalid shall not affect the validity of other acts, provisions, or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provisions or applications. The provisions of all acts, except for the title of the act, are severable unless (i) the act specifically provides that its provisions are not severable; or (ii) it is apparent that two or more acts or provisions must operate in accord with one another.

1986, c. 239, § 1-17.1; 1987, c. 56; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-244. Short title citations.
Whenever a subtitle, chapter, or article does not have a section or provision establishing or authorizing a short title citation for such subtitle, chapter or article, such subtitle, chapter or article may be cited by its caption. The caption is that word or group of words appearing directly below the numerical designation given the subtitle, chapter or article. Captions are intended as mere catchwords to indicate the contents of the subtitles, chapters, and articles and do not constitute part of the act of the General Assembly.

1993, c. 308, § 1-13.9:1; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-245. State.
"State," when applied to a part of the United States, includes any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 23, § 1-13.26; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 49; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-246. Stricken language or italics.
Stricken language for deletions and italics for additions or changes may be used in legislative drafts, printed bills, enrolled bills, and printed Acts of Assembly, in an attempt to call attention to amendments to existing acts of the General Assembly. The stricken language and italics shall not be construed as evidence of amendments to acts of the General Assembly.

1950, p. 24, § 1-13.34; 1986, c. 155; 2005, c. 839.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-247. Summaries of legislation.
Any legislative summary associated with a bill, joint resolution or resolution, including any summary appearing on the face of such legislation, shall not constitute a part of the legislation considered, agreed to, or enacted, and shall not be used to indicate or infer legislative intent.

1997, c. 375, § 30-19.03:2; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-248. Supremacy of federal and state law.
The Constitution and laws of the United States and of the Commonwealth shall be supreme. Any ordinance, resolution, bylaw, rule, regulation, or order of any governing body or any corporation, board, or number of persons shall not be inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States or of the Commonwealth.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 22, § 1-13.17; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-249. Supreme Court.
"Supreme Court" means the Supreme Court of Virginia.

1975, c. 36, § 1-13.27:2; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-250. Swear; sworn.
"Swear" or "sworn" means "affirm" or "affirmed."

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 23, § 1-13.28; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-251. Systems of state highways.
"Systems of state highways" means all systems of highways within the Commonwealth over which the Commonwealth Transportation Board exercises jurisdiction and control. In context, such words shall apply to the extent, but only to the extent, that the Commonwealth Transportation Board exercises such jurisdiction and control.

1970, c. 136, § 1-13.40; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-252. Tier-city.
"Tier-city" means an incorporated community within a consolidated county that (i) has within defined boundaries a population of 5,000 or more, (ii) has been designated as a tier-city by the General Assembly, and (iii) has both the powers of a town and such additional powers as may be granted tier-cities by the General Assembly. All references in this Code and the acts of the General Assembly to towns shall be deemed references to tier-cities, except to the extent tier-cities may be specifically excluded or where the context requires otherwise.

1984, c. 695, §§ 1-13.28:1, 1-13.28:2; 1989, c. 493; 2005, c. 839.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-253. Time zone.
The United States Eastern Standard Time shall be in effect in all parts of the Commonwealth except during the period when the United States Eastern Daylight Time shall be in effect as provided by federal law. This section shall not be construed to be in contravention of federal law, or duly authorized orders of the United States Secretary of Transportation with respect to the time zones of the United States and the application of standard time to interstate commerce and other matters within such zones.

In all laws, statutes, orders, decrees, rules and regulations relating to the time of performance of any act by any officer or agency of the Commonwealth, or any political subdivision thereof, or relating to the time in which any rights shall accrue or determine, or within which any act shall or shall not be performed by any person subject to the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth, and in all public schools, institutions of the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions, and contracts or choses in action made or to be performed in the Commonwealth, it shall be understood and intended that the time applicable thereto or referred to or implied therein shall be the United States Eastern Standard Time, or the United States Eastern Daylight Time, when and during such is in effect.

1946, p. 103; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 5b; 1952, c. 637, § 1-15; 1962, c. 617; 1964, c. 646; 1966, c. 581; 1988, c. 177; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-254. Town.
"Town" means any existing town or an incorporated community within one or more counties which became a town before noon, July 1, 1971, as provided by law or which has within defined boundaries a population of 1,000 or more and which has become a town as provided by law.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 24, § 1-13.29; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 49; 1995, c. 155; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-255. United States.
"United States" includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States Virgin Islands.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 24, § 1-13.31; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-256. Weights and measurements; metric equivalents.
Words or terms relating to the customary system of weights and measurements include their International System (SI) metric equivalents, but shall not require the posting or publishing of the equivalents along with the customary system of weights and measurements.

1980, c. 465. § 1-15.2; 2005, c. 839.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 2.1 (Common Law and Rules of Construction)
§ 1-257. Written; writing; in writing.
"Written," "writing," and "in writing" include any representation of words, letters, symbols, numbers, or figures, whether (i) printed or inscribed on a tangible medium or (ii) stored in an electronic or other medium and retrievable in a perceivable form and whether an electronic signature authorized by Chapter 42.1 (§ 59.1-479 et seq.) of Title 59.1 is or is not affixed.

Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 24, § 1-13.32; 1999, c. 145; 2000, c. 995; 2005, c. 839.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 3 (CITIZENSHIP [Repealed])
§ 1-18. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2005, c. 839, cl. 10, effective October 1, 2005.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 4 (JURISDICTION OVER LANDS ACQUIRED BY THE UNITED STATES)
§ 1-403. Conveyances of certain waste and unappropriated lands and marshlands to the United States.
A. The Governor is authorized to execute in the name of the Commonwealth deeds conveying, subject to the jurisdictional and other limitations and reservations contained in §§ 1-400 and 1-405, to the United States such title as the Commonwealth may have in waste and unappropriated lands entirely surrounded by lands owned by the United States, when the same are certified as being vacant and unappropriated by a duly authorized agent of the United States and are described by metes and bounds descriptions filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth and with the clerk of the court in the county wherein such unappropriated land is situated.

B. The Governor is authorized to execute, in the name and on behalf of the Commonwealth, a deed or other appropriate instrument conveying to the United States, without any consideration but subject to the jurisdictional limitations and reservations contained in §§ 1-400 and 1-405, such right, title and interest in or easement over and across the marshes lying along the seaside of the Counties of Accomack and Northampton as may be necessary and proper for the construction, operation and maintenance of a canal or channel for small boats over and through such marshlands.

Code 1950, § 7-23; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-20; 1976, c. 211; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 4 (JURISDICTION OVER LANDS ACQUIRED BY THE UNITED STATES)
§ 1-404. Licensing sale of mixed alcoholic beverages on lands ceded to or owned by United States.
The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority may license the sale of mixed alcoholic beverages as defined in Chapter 1 (§ 4.1-100 et seq.) of Title 4.1 at places primarily engaged in the sale of meals on lands ceded by the Commonwealth to the United States or owned by the government of the United States or any agency thereof provided that such lands are used as ports of entry or egress to and from the United States, and provided that such lands lie within or partly within the boundaries of any county in this Commonwealth which permits the lawful dispensing of mixed alcoholic beverages. The Board of Directors of the Authority may adopt rules and regulations governing the sale of such spirits, and to fix the fees for such licenses, within the limits fixed by general law.

1968, c. 511, § 7.1-21.1; 1993, c. 866; 2005, c. 839; 2015, cc. 38, 730.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 4 (JURISDICTION OVER LANDS ACQUIRED BY THE UNITED STATES)
§ 1-406. Conveyances to political subdivisions of lands ceded to and no longer used by United States.
Whenever any land in the Commonwealth has been or is conveyed to the United States with a provision in the deed that upon abandonment or use for any purpose other than that stated in the deed such land shall revert to the Commonwealth, and if any such land is abandoned or is no longer used for the purpose for which conveyed, the Governor is hereby authorized to convey to the political subdivision in which such land is situated, all right, title and interest of the Commonwealth in and to such land. This section shall not affect any lease made under Chapter 321 of the Acts of 1952.

Code 1950, § 7-25.1; 1954, c. 170; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-23; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 4 (JURISDICTION OVER LANDS ACQUIRED BY THE UNITED STATES)
§ 1-407. Concurrent jurisdiction of Commonwealth and United States over certain lands leased to political subdivisions.
Whenever the United States government has exclusive jurisdiction over property located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and leases the property, or part thereof, to any political subdivision to be used by it for a public purpose, the exclusive jurisdiction shall cease as to the property so leased and the Commonwealth and the United States government shall have concurrent jurisdiction over the property so long as the lease continues. At the termination of the lease the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth shall cease and the United States shall have exclusive jurisdiction thereof.

Code 1950, § 7-25.2; 1964, c. 362; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-24; 2005, c. 839.
Code of Virginia — Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapter 4 (JURISDICTION OVER LANDS ACQUIRED BY THE UNITED STATES)
§ 1-408. Relinquishment by United States of jurisdiction over lands in the Commonwealth.
Whenever a duly authorized official or agent of the United States, acting pursuant to authority conferred by the United States Congress, notifies the Governor that the United States desires or is willing to relinquish to the Commonwealth the jurisdiction, or a portion thereof, held by the United States over lands located in the Commonwealth, as designated in such notice, the Governor may, in his discretion, accept such relinquishment. Such acceptance shall be made by sending a notice of acceptance to the official or agent designated by the United States to receive such notice of acceptance. The Governor shall send a signed copy of the notice of acceptance, together with the notice of relinquishment received from the United States, to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, who shall maintain a permanent file of said notices.

Upon the sending of the notice of acceptance to the designated official or agent of the United States, the Commonwealth shall immediately have such jurisdiction over the lands designated in the notice of relinquishment as the notice shall specify.

Upon receipt of a copy of the notice of relinquishment and a copy of the notice of acceptance, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall immediately give written notice of such change in jurisdiction to the Attorney General and the attorney for the Commonwealth of the city or county in which such lands are located. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall also certify a copy of each of the notices to the clerk of court in which deeds are admitted to record for the city or county in which such lands are located. The clerk shall record the notices in his deed book and index them in the name of the United States and the Commonwealth.

1975, c. 411, § 7.1-25.1; 2005, c. 839.