reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 10.1-613.3 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-613.3. No liability of Board, Department, employees, or agents

An owner may not bring an action against the Commonwealth, the Board, the Department, or agents or employees of the Commonwealth for the recovery of damages caused by the partial or total failure of a dam or reservoir, or by the operation of a dam or reservoir, or by an act or omission in connection with:1. Approval of the construction, alteration, or maintenance of a dam or reservoir, or approval of flood-operations plans during or after construction;2. Issuance or enforcement of orders relating to maintenance or operation of the dam or reservoir;3. Control or regulation of the dam or reservoir;4. Measures taken to protect against failure of the dam or reservoir during an emergency;5. Investigations or inspections authorized under this article;6. Use of design and construction criteria prepared by the Department; or7. Determination of the hazard classification of the dam.2006, c. 30.
VA Code § 10.1-613.4 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-613.4. Liability of owner or operator

A. Notwithstanding subsection B, nothing in this article, and no order, notice, approval, or advice of the Director or Board shall relieve any owner or operator of an impounding structure from any legal duties, obligations, and liabilities resulting from such ownership or operation. The owner or operator shall be responsible for liability for damage to the property of others or injury to persons, including the loss of life resulting from the operation or failure of an impounding structure. Compliance with this article does not guarantee the safety of an impounding structure or relieve the owner or operator of liability in case of an impounding structure failure.B. The owner of the land upon which an impounding structure owned, maintained, or operated by a soil and water conservation district is situated shall not be responsible for liability for damages to the property of others or injury to persons, including the loss of life, resulting from the operation or failure of the impounding structure. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply if the damages to the property of others or injury to persons is the result of an act or omission of the landowner unrelated to ownership, maintenance, or operation of the impounding structure.C. Prior to dissolution or termination of an entity that owns an impounding structure, the entity shall either convey ownership to a third party by deed or other legal conveyance or decommission the impounding structure pursuant to the requirements of the Virginia Impounding Structure Regulations. Prior to conveying ownership, the owner shall notify the Director of such transfer of ownership in accordance with requirements set out in the Virginia Impounding Structure Regulations. Such notice to the Director shall include a warrant by the transferring owner that the transferee is a responsible party capable of discharging all obligations of an impounding structure owner imposed by law and regulations.D. The Commonwealth, the Board, or the Department shall not be deemed to become an owner of an impounding structure by providing funding or other assistance for maintenance, repair, or decommissioning of an impounding structure owned by another person or entity.2006, c. 30; 2014, cc. 146, 304, 593.
VA Code § 10.1-613.5 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-613.5. Program administration fees; establishment of Dam Safety Administrative Fund

A. The Board is authorized to establish and collect application fees from any applicant to be deposited into the Dam Safety Administrative Fund established pursuant to subsection B. Permit applications shall not be reviewed without a full payment of the required fee. Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts shall be exempt from all fees established pursuant to this section.B. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Dam Safety Administrative Fund, hereafter referred to as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. The Fund shall consist of permit application fees authorized under subsection A and shall be used for the administration of the dam safety program, including actions taken in accordance with §§ 10.1-608, 10.1-609, and 10.1-613. All such funds shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director.2006, c. 30; 2010, c. 13.
VA Code § 10.1-613.6 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-613.6. Negotiated settlement agreements

With the consent of any owner of an impounding structure who has allegedly violated or failed, neglected, or refused to obey any regulation or order of the Board, any condition of a permit, or any provision of this chapter, the Board may enter into a negotiated settlement agreement with such owner, so long as the impounding structure or dam is not subject to the provisions of § 10.1-609, to correct deficiencies at the structure according to the schedule of implementation appended to the negotiated settlement agreement and for the payment of civil charges for past alleged violations in specific sums not to exceed the limit specified in § 10.1-613.2. Such civil charges shall be suspended upon compliance with the terms and conditions of the negotiated settlement agreement as determined by the Director. Such civil charges shall be instead of any appropriate civil penalty that could be imposed under § 10.1-613.2 and shall be paid into the Dam Safety, Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Fund established by Article 1.2 (§ 10.1-603.16 et seq.).2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 97.
VA Code § 10.1-614 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-614. Establishment within soil and water conservation district authorized

Whenever it is found that soil and water conservation or water management within a soil and water conservation district or districts will be promoted by the construction of improvements to check erosion, provide drainage, collect sediment or stabilize the runoff of surface water, a small watershed improvement district may be established within such soil and water conservation district or districts in accordance with the provisions of this article.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.1; 1964, c. 512; 1973, c. 35; 1977, c. 40; 1988, c. 891.
VA Code § 10.1-615 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-615. Petition for establishment; what to set forth

A. Any twenty-five owners of land lying within the limits of a proposed watershed improvement district, or a majority of such owners if there are fewer than fifty, may file a petition with the directors of the soil and water conservation district or districts in which the proposed watershed improvement district is situated asking that a watershed improvement district be organized to function in the territory described in the petition. The petition shall set forth:1. The proposed name of the watershed improvement district;2. That there is need, in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare, for a watershed improvement district to function in the territory described in the petition;3. A description of the territory proposed to be organized as a watershed improvement district, which description shall be deemed sufficient if generally accurate;4. That the territory described in the petition is contiguous and is the same watershed, or is two or more contiguous watersheds;5. A request that the territory described in the petition be organized as a watershed improvement district;6. The method for financing the proposed district, whether by means of a tax on all real estate in the proposed district or a service charge on the increase in the fair market value of all real estate in the proposed district caused by the district's project.B. Land lying within the limits of one watershed improvement district shall not be included in another watershed improvement district.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.2; 1964, c. 512; 1970, c. 480; 1977, c. 40; 1981, c. 156; 1988, c. 891.
VA Code § 10.1-616 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-616. Notice and hearing on petition; determination of need for district and defining boundaries

Within thirty days after a petition has been filed with the directors of the soil and water conservation district or districts, they shall cause due notice to be given of a hearing upon the practicability and feasibility of creating the proposed watershed improvement district. All owners of land within the proposed watershed improvement district and all other interested parties shall have the right to attend such a hearing and to be heard. If the directors determine from the hearing that there is need, in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare, for the organization of the proposed watershed improvement district, they shall record their determination and define the boundaries of the watershed improvement district. The provisions of Article 2 (§ 10.1-502 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of this title shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to such proceedings.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.3; 1964, c. 512; 1970, c. 480; 1988, c. 891.
VA Code § 10.1-617 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-617. Determination of whether operation of proposed district is feasible; referendum

If the district directors determine that a need for the proposed watershed improvement district exists and after they define the boundaries of the proposed district, they shall consider the administrative feasibility of operating the proposed watershed improvement district. To assist the district directors in determining such question, a referendum shall be held upon the proposition of the creation of the proposed watershed improvement district. Due notice of the referendum shall be given by the district directors. All owners of land lying within the boundaries of the proposed watershed improvement district shall be eligible to vote in the referendum. The district directors may prescribe necessary regulations governing the conduct of the hearing.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.4; 1964, c. 512; 1970, c. 480; 1988, c. 891; 1995, c. 654.
VA Code § 10.1-618 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-618. Ballots used in such referendum

The question shall be submitted by ballots, which shall contain the following question: "Shall a watershed improvement district be created of the lands described below and lying in the county(ies) or city(ies) of __________ and __________?[ ] Yes[ ] No"The ballot shall set forth the boundaries of the proposed district determined by the Board.The ballot shall also set forth the method or methods of real estate assessment as determined by the district directors.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.5; 1970, c. 480, § 21-112.4:1; 1977, c. 40; 1988, c. 891.
VA Code § 10.1-619 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-619. Consideration of results of referendum; simple majority vote required

The results of the referendum shall be considered by the district directors in determining whether the operation of the proposed watershed improvement district is administratively practicable and feasible. The district directors shall not be authorized to determine that operation of the proposed watershed improvement district is administratively practicable and feasible unless a simple majority of the votes cast in the referendum have been cast in favor of the creation of the watershed improvement district.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.5; 1970, c. 480; 1977, c. 40; 1988, c. 891; 2005, c. 128.
VA Code § 10.1-620 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-620. Declaration of organization of district; certification to Board

If the district directors determine that operation of the proposed watershed improvement district is administratively practicable and feasible, they shall declare the watershed improvement district to be organized and shall record the fact in their official minutes. Following such entry in their official minutes, the district directors shall certify the fact of the organization of the watershed improvement district to the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board, and shall furnish a copy of the certification to the clerk of each county or city in which any portion of the watershed improvement district is situated for recordation in the public land records of each such county or city. The watershed improvement district shall thereupon constitute a political subdivision of this Commonwealth.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.6; 1964, c. 512; 1970, c. 480; 1988, c. 891.
VA Code § 10.1-621 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-621. Establishment of watershed improvement district situated in more than one soil and water conservation district

If a proposed watershed improvement district is situated in more than one soil and water conservation district, copies of the petition shall be presented to the directors of all the soil and water conservation districts in which the proposed watershed improvement district is situated, and the directors of all affected soil and water conservation districts shall act jointly as a board of directors with respect to all matters concerning the watershed improvement district, including its organization. The watershed improvement district shall be organized in the same manner and shall have the same powers and duties as a watershed improvement district situated entirely in one soil and water conservation district.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.7; 1964, c. 512; 1970, c. 480; 1988, c. 891.
VA Code § 10.1-622 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-622. Inclusion of additional territory

Petitions for including additional territory within an existing watershed improvement district may be filed with directors of the soil and water conservation district or districts in which the watershed improvement district is situated, and in such cases the provisions hereof for petitions to organize the watershed improvement district shall be observed to the extent deemed practicable by the district directors. In referenda upon petitions for such inclusion, all owners of land situated in the proposed additional territory shall be eligible to vote. No additional territory shall be included in an existing watershed improvement district unless owners of land representing two-thirds of the acreage proposed to be included vote in favor thereof.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.8; 1964, c. 512; 1970, c. 480; 1988, c. 891.
VA Code § 10.1-623 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-623. Governing body of district; trustees

The directors of the soil and water conservation district or districts in which the watershed improvement district is situated shall be the governing body of the watershed improvement district. They may appoint, in consultation with and subject to the approval of the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board, three trustees who shall be owners of land within the watershed improvement district. The trustees shall exercise the administrative duties and powers delegated to them by the directors of the soil and water conservation district or districts. The trustees shall hold office at the will of the directors of the soil and water conservation district or districts and the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board. The trustees shall designate a chairman and may change such designation. One of the trustees may be selected as treasurer and shall be responsible for the safekeeping of the funds of the watershed improvement district. When a watershed improvement district lies in more than one soil and water conservation district, the directors of all such districts shall act jointly as the governing body of the watershed improvement district.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.9; 1964, c. 512; 1970, c. 480; 1988, c. 891.
VA Code § 10.1-624 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-624. Officers, agents and employees; surety bonds; annual audit

The trustees may, with the approval of the directors of the soil and water conservation district or districts, employ such officers, agents, and other employees as they require, and shall determine their qualifications, duties and compensation. The district directors shall provide for the execution of surety bonds for the treasurer and such other trustees, officers, agents, and employees as shall be entrusted with funds or property of the watershed improvement district, and shall publish an annual audit of the accounts of receipts and disbursements of the watershed improvement district.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.10; 1964, c. 512; 1970, c. 480; 1988, c. 891.
VA Code § 10.1-625 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-625. Status and general powers of district; power to levy tax or service charge; approval of landowners required

A watershed improvement district shall have all of the powers of the soil and water conservation district or districts in which the watershed improvement district is situated, and in addition shall have the authority to levy and collect a tax or service charge to be used for the purposes for which the watershed improvement district was created. No tax shall be levied nor service charge imposed under this article unless two-thirds of the owners of land, which two-thirds owners shall also represent ownership of at least two-thirds of the land area in such district, voting in a referendum called and held in the manner prescribed in this article, approve the levy of a tax to be expended for the purposes of the watershed improvement district.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.11; 1964, c. 512; 1981, c. 156; 1988, c. 891; 1995, c. 654.
VA Code § 10.1-627 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-627. Collection of tax or service charge; proceeds kept in special account; expenditures from such account

The special tax or service charge levied shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as county or city taxes with the proceeds therefrom to be kept in a separate account by the county or city treasurer identified by the official name of the watershed improvement district. Expenditures from such account may be made with the approval of the directors of the soil and water conservation district or districts on requisition from the chairman and the treasurer of the board of trustees of the watershed improvement district.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.13; 1964, c. 512; 1970, c. 480; 1981, c. 156; 1988, c. 891.
VA Code § 10.1-628 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-628. Fiscal powers of governing body; may poll landowners on question of incurring indebtedness or issuing bonds

The governing body of any watershed improvement district shall have power, subject to the conditions and limitations of this article, to incur indebtedness, borrow funds, and issue bonds of such watershed improvement district. The circuit court of the county or city in which any portion of the watershed improvement district is located, upon the petition of a majority of the members of the governing body of the watershed improvement district, shall order a referendum at any time not less than thirty days from the date of such order, which shall be designated therein, to determine whether the governing body shall incur indebtedness or issue bonds for one or more of the purposes for which the watershed improvement district was created.The referendum shall be conducted in the manner prescribed by this article for the conduct of other referendums in the watershed improvement districts.1956, c. 668, §§ 21-112.14, 21-112.15; 1964, c. 512; 1988, c. 891; 1995, c. 654.
VA Code § 10.1-629 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-629. Order authorizing governing body to incur indebtedness or issue bonds

If the owners of at least two-thirds of the land area in the district vote in the election, and if at least two-thirds of the voters in the election vote in favor of incurring the indebtedness or issuing bonds, the circuit court or courts shall enter an order authorizing the governing body of the watershed improvement district to incur indebtedness or issue bonds for one or more of the purposes for which the district was created.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.16; 1988, c. 891.
VA Code § 10.1-630 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-630. Type of indebtedness incurred or bonds issued

The type of indebtedness incurred or bonds issued shall be that adopted by the governing body of the watershed improvement district and approved by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.17; 1964, c. 512; 1988, c. 891; 1996, cc. 105, 819.
VA Code § 10.1-631 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-631. Annual tax for payment of interest or to amortize indebtedness or bonds

The governing body of the watershed improvement district shall, if necessary to pay the interest on the indebtedness or bonds or to amortize such indebtedness or bonds, levy an annual tax or service charge in the manner prescribed by § 10.1-626 on all the real estate in the watershed improvement district subject to local taxation, to satisfy such obligations. This tax, irrespective of any approvals required pursuant to § 10.1-614, shall be sufficient to pay interest and to amortize such indebtedness or bonds at the times required.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.18; 1973, c. 35; 1981, c. 156; 1988, c. 891; 1996, cc. 105, 819.
VA Code § 10.1-632 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 10.1 - Conservation|Chapter 6 - Flood Protection and Dam Safety|§ 10.1-632. Powers granted additional to powers of soil and water conservation district; soil and water conservation district to continue to exercise its powers

The powers herein granted to watershed improvement districts shall be additional to the powers of the soil and water conservation district or districts in which the watershed improvement district is situated; and the soil and water conservation district or districts shall be authorized, notwithstanding the creation of the watershed improvement district, to continue to exercise their powers within the watershed improvement district.1956, c. 668, § 21-112.19; 1964, c. 512; 1988, c. 891.