reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WV Code § 7A-5-6 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 5. Municipal Consolidation Election|§7A-5-6. Filing Charter

After the charter has been approved by at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the affected municipalities, the charter shall be filed with the Secretary of State and recorded in the applicable county clerk's office.
WV Code § 7A-5-7 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 5. Municipal Consolidation Election|§7A-5-7. Constitutional Consideration

In preparing the charter, municipalities with excess levies or general obligation bond indebtedness shall fully comply with section nine, article X of the Constitution.
WV Code § 7A-5-8 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 5. Municipal Consolidation Election|§7A-5-8. Subsequent Joining of Municipality to Consolidated Municipality

(a) After a consolidated municipality has been in existence for at least one year, a municipality may request to join the consolidated municipality by submitting:(1) A petition signed by at least fifteen percent of the qualified voters in the municipality; or(2) A resolution by the governing body of the municipality.(b) Within thirty days of receipt of the petition or resolution, the governing body of the consolidated municipality shall vote to accept or reject the municipality requesting to join.(c) If the governing body of the consolidated municipality votes to accept the municipality, then the municipality shall hold an election on consolidation at the next primary or general election in accordance with applicable election laws and section two of this article.(d) The ballots for the election on consolidation shall be as follows:[ ] For [ ] Against (e) If at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the municipality approve consolidation, then consolidation becomes effective pursuant to the charter.(f) If consolidation is not approved by at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the municipality, then the consolidation is defeated and cannot be voted upon for one year.
WV Code § 7A-6-1 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 6. Elections on County Consolidation|§7A-6-1. Expenses for Election

The governing body of each affected county is responsible for its expenses of holding an election on the question of consolidation.
WV Code § 7A-6-2 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 6. Elections on County Consolidation|§7A-6-2. Notice for Election

(a) At least sixty days prior to the election on the question of county consolidation, the governing body of each affected county shall make copies of the proposed charter available to the public.(b) At least fourteen days prior to the election on the question of county consolidation, the governing bodies of the affected counties shall publish the proposed charter and provide notice of the election, as a Class II legal advertisement, in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected area. The affected counties may share the expense of publication.
WV Code § 7A-6-3 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 6. Elections on County Consolidation|§7A-6-3. Election and Ballots for County Consolidation

(a) After receiving the proposed charter from the county charter review committee, the governing bodies of the affected counties shall hold an election on the question of consolidation at the next primary or general election in accordance with applicable election laws and section two of this article.(b) The ballots for the election on consolidation shall be as follows:[ ] For [ ] Against
WV Code § 7A-6-4 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 6. Elections on County Consolidation|§7A-6-4. Approval of County Consolidation and Charter

If at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of each of the affected counties approve consolidation, then consolidation becomes effective pursuant to the charter.
WV Code § 7A-6-5 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 6. Elections on County Consolidation|§7A-6-5. Rejection of Charter and Reconsideration Process

(a) If less than fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of any of the affected counties approve consolidation, then consolidation is defeated. The county charter review committee may reconvene for up to one year to adopt a second proposed charter.(b) When the second proposed charter is adopted by the county charter review committee, then the governing bodies of the affected counties shall hold another election on the second proposed charter at the next primary or general election in accordance with applicable election laws and section two of this article.(c) The ballots for the election on the second proposed charter shall be as follows:[ ] For [ ] Against (d) If the second proposed charter is not approved by at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the affected counties, then the proposed consolidation is defeated. A new county charter review committee cannot be established for at least two years after the second proposed charter is defeated.
WV Code § 7A-6-6 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 6. Elections on County Consolidation|§7A-6-6. Filing Charter

After the charter has been approved by at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the affected counties, the charter shall be filed with the Secretary of State and recorded in all of the applicable county clerk's offices.
WV Code § 7A-6-7 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 6. Elections on County Consolidation|§7A-6-7. Subsequent Joining of County to Consolidated County

(a) After a consolidated county has been in existence for at least one year, a county may request to join the consolidated county by submitting:(1) A petition signed by at least fifteen percent of the qualified voters in the county; or(2) A resolution by the governing body of the county.(b) Within thirty days of receipt of the petition or resolution, the governing body of the consolidated county shall vote to accept or reject the county requesting to join.(c) If the governing body of the consolidated county votes to accept the county, then the county shall hold an election on consolidation at the next primary or general election in accordance with applicable election laws and section two of this article.(d) The ballots for the election on consolidation shall be as follows:[ ] For (name of consolidated county)[ ] Against (name of consolidated county)(e) If at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the county approve the consolidation, then consolidation becomes effective pursuant to the charter.(f) If consolidation is not approved by at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the county, then the consolidation is defeated and cannot be voted upon for one year.
WV Code § 7A-7-1 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 7. Elections on Metro Government|§7A-7-1. Expenses for Election

The governing body of the affected county is responsible for the expenses of holding an election on the question of consolidation.
WV Code § 7A-7-2 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 7. Elections on Metro Government|§7A-7-2. Notice for Election

(a) At least sixty days prior to the election on the question of metro consolidation, the governing bodies of the principal city and affected county shall make copies of the proposed charter available to the public.(b) At least fourteen days prior to the election on the question of metro consolidation, the governing body of the affected county shall publish the proposed charter and provide notice of the election, as a Class II legal advertisement, in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected county.
WV Code § 7A-7-3 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 7. Elections on Metro Government|§7A-7-3. Election and Ballots for Metro Government

(a) After receiving the proposed charter from the metro charter review committee, the governing body of the affected county shall hold an election on the question of consolidation at the next primary or general election in accordance with applicable election laws and section two of this article.(b) The ballots for the election on consolidation shall be as follows:[ ] For [ ] Against
WV Code § 7A-7-4 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 7. Elections on Metro Government|§7A-7-4. Approval of Metro Government and Charter

If at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the principal city and fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the affected county, excluding the principal city, approve consolidation, then metro government becomes effective pursuant to the charter.
WV Code § 7A-7-4a (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 7. Elections on Metro Government|§7A-7-4a. Modifying the Percentage Vote Required to Approve Metro Government in Municipal and Countywide Elections From Fifty-Five Percent to a Majority in Counties With Populations in Excess of 150,000

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, where the election is on the question of consolidation of a county with a population exceeding 150,000, based on the 2000 or 2010 census of population taken under the authority of the United States government, and a single Class I city that is the principal municipality of the county, then metro government becomes effective pursuant to the charter if a majority of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the principal city and a majority of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of all incorporated and unincorporated areas of the affected county, excluding the principal city, approves the consolidation.(b) As used in this section, a Class I city is a municipality so classified under section three, article one, chapter eight of this code.
WV Code § 7A-7-5 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 7. Elections on Metro Government|§7A-7-5. Rejection of Charter and Reconsideration Process

(a) If less than fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the principal city and less than fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the affected county, excluding the principal city, approve consolidation, then consolidation is defeated. The metro charter review committee may reconvene for up to one year to adopt a second proposed charter.(b) When the second proposed charter is adopted by the metro charter review committee, then the governing body of the affected county shall hold another election on the second proposed charter at the next primary or general election in accordance with applicable election laws and section two of this article.(c) The ballots for the election on the second proposed charter shall be as follows:[ ] For [ ] Against (d) If the second proposed charter is not approved by at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the principal city and fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the affected county, excluding the principal city, then the proposed consolidation is defeated. A new metro charter review committee cannot be established for at least two years after the second proposed charter is defeated.
WV Code § 7A-7-6 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 7. Elections on Metro Government|§7A-7-6. Municipalities Within Territory Remain Incorporated in Metro Government

Municipalities, other than the principal city, are not automatically consolidated into the metro government. Upon the approval by voters of metro consolidation, municipalities within the territory of the metro government remain incorporated and continue to perform their functions as permitted by law unless dissolved or consolidated pursuant to section eight of this article.
WV Code § 7A-7-7 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 7. Elections on Metro Government|§7A-7-7. Filing Charter

After the charter has been approved by at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the affected county, the charter shall be filed with the Secretary of State and recorded in the applicable county clerk's offices.
WV Code § 7A-7-8 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 7. Elections on Metro Government|§7A-7-8. Subsequent Joining of Municipality, County or Metro Government to Metro Government

(a) After a metro government has been in existence for at least one year, a municipality, county or metro government may request to join the metro government by submitting:(1) A petition signed by at least fifteen percent of the qualified voters in the municipality, county or metro government; or(2) A resolution by the governing body of the municipality, county or metro government.(b) Within thirty days of receipt of the petition or resolution, the governing body of the metro government shall vote to accept or reject the municipality, county or metro government requesting to join.(c) If the governing body of the metro government votes to accept the municipality, county or metro government, then the municipality, county or metro government shall hold an election on consolidation at the next primary or general election. The election shall be held in accordance with applicable election laws and section two of this article.(d) The ballots for the election on consolidation shall be as follows:[ ] For the [ ] Against the (e) If at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the municipality, county or metro government approve consolidation, then consolidation becomes effective pursuant to the charter.(f) If consolidation is not approved by at least fifty-five percent of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the municipality, county or metro government, then the consolidation is defeated and cannot be voted upon for one year.
WV Code § 7A-8-1 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 7A. Consolidated Local Government|Article 8. Charter Amendment|§7A-8-1. Charter Amendment

(a) If a charter is adopted, it may be amended by one of the following methods:(1) The governing body of the consolidated local government may submit a proposed amendment by resolution to the voters at the next primary or general election. Notice of the election and the proposed amendment shall be published as a Class II legal advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected areas. If a majority of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the consolidated local government approve the amendment, then the amendment becomes effective as permitted by law;(2) The governing body of the consolidated local government may amend the charter by ordinance. However, if a petition signed by at least ten percent of the qualified voters of the consolidated local government is filed with the governing body within thirty days following publication of the ordinance, the governing body shall submit the charter amendment to the voters at the next primary or general election. Notice of the election and the proposed amendment shall be published as a Class II legal advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected areas. If a majority of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the consolidated local government approve the amendment, then the amendment becomes effective as permitted by law; or(3) If a petition, signed by ten percent of the qualified voters in the consolidated local government, is filed with the governing body of the consolidated local government proposing an amendment to the charter, then the governing body shall submit the proposed amendment to the voters at the next primary or general election. Notice of the election and the proposed amendment shall be published as a Class II legal advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected areas. If a majority of the legal votes cast by the qualified voters of the consolidated local government approve the amendment, then the amendment becomes effective as permitted by law.(b) If an election is held, then the governing body shall submit each proposed amendment generally in the following form:Should the amendment described below be adopted for the charter of ()?[ ] Yes[ ] NoThe ballot shall contain a summary of the proposed amendment.
WV Code § 8-1-1 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 8. Municipal Corporations|Article 1. Purpose and Short Title; Definitions; General Provisions; Construction|§8-1-1. Purpose and Short Title

§8-1-1. Purpose and short title.The purpose of this chapter is to effect a recodification of the basic municipal law of this state and of various statutory provisions relating to certain intergovernmental relations involving municipalities, counties and other units of government, to provide as much uniformity as possible between the powers, authority, duties and responsibilities of special legislative charter municipalities and all other municipalities, and to give effect to the "Municipal Home Rule Amendment" to the Constitution of this state, being section thirty-nine-(a), article six of said Constitution.For convenience of reference, this chapter may be known and cited as the "Municipal Code of West Virginia."
WV Code § 8-1-3 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 8. Municipal Corporations|Article 1. Purpose and Short Title; Definitions; General Provisions; Construction|§8-1-3. Classification of Municipal Corporations

§8-1-3. Classification of municipal corporations.Pursuant to the mandate of the "Municipal Home Rule Amendment" to the Constitution of this state, all municipal corporations are hereby classified by population into four classes, as follows:(1) Every municipal corporation with a population in excess of fifty thousand shall be a Class I city;(2) Every municipal corporation with a population in excess of ten thousand but not in excess of fifty thousand shall be a Class II city;(3) Every municipal corporation with a population in excess of two thousand but not in excess of ten thousand shall be a Class III city; and(4) Every municipal corporation with a population of two thousand or less shall be a Class IV town or village.Transition from one to another class shall occur automatically when the requisite population qualification has been met, effective as of the effective date of the census, as specified in section four of this article.The Legislature hereby declares its interpretation of the said "Municipal Home Rule Amendment" to be that a single classification by population of municipal corporations in this state is required which shall exclude any other classification of municipal corporations by population for any purpose. It is, therefore, the intention of the Legislature that the classification established in this section shall give effect to the Constitutional mandate and shall be the only classification by population applying to municipal corporations in this state. It is the further intention of the Legislature that subsequent legislation affecting municipal corporations in this state shall treat municipal corporations differently upon the basis of population, only in accordance with the general classification established in this section.
WV Code § 8-1-4 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 8. Municipal Corporations|Article 1. Purpose and Short Title; Definitions; General Provisions; Construction|§8-1-4. How Population Determined

For any purpose pertinent to the provisions of this chapter, population shall be determined by reference to the last preceding census taken under the authority of the United States or of the Legislature of West Virginia or by the municipality pursuant to an ordinance adopted thereby, the adoption of any such ordinance being hereby expressly authorized.
WV Code § 8-1-5 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 8. Municipal Corporations|Article 1. Purpose and Short Title; Definitions; General Provisions; Construction|§8-1-5. Existing Status of Municipalities Confirmed; Powers, Authority, Duties and Responsibilities Conferred by Law

The corporate being of every municipality now existing is hereby confirmed and validated. Except as otherwise provided in section six of this article, any municipality shall have all of the powers, authority, duties and responsibilities conferred by law upon a municipality of the class to which it belongs.
WV Code § 8-1-7 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 8. Municipal Corporations|Article 1. Purpose and Short Title; Definitions; General Provisions; Construction|§8-1-7. Construction of Powers and Authority Granted

(a) The enumeration of powers and authority granted in this chapter shall not operate to exclude the exercise of other powers and authority fairly incidental thereto or reasonably implied and within the purposes of this chapter or in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Home Rule Amendment to the Constitution of this state, the powers and authority granted by such Constitution, other provisions of this code and any existing charter. The provisions of this chapter shall be given full effect without regard to the common-law rule of strict construction and particularly when the powers and authority are exercised by charter provisions framed and adopted or adopted by revision of a charter as a whole or adopted by charter amendment under the provisions of this chapter.(b) Any charter provision framed and adopted or adopted by revision of a charter as a whole or adopted by charter amendment under the provisions of former chapter eight-a of this code or under the provisions of this chapter which is beyond the power and authority of a municipality and any ordinance provision which is beyond the power and authority of a municipality shall be of no force and effect.
WV Code § 8-1-8 (2021)
2021 West Virginia Code|Chapter 8. Municipal Corporations|Article 1. Purpose and Short Title; Definitions; General Provisions; Construction|§8-1-8. References to Code Provisions

Any reference in this chapter to another provision of this code and any reference elsewhere in this code or other law to a provision in this chapter shall be construed to mean the present provision or such provision as the same may be hereafter amended from time to time. Where additional provisions are added to the subject matter of any other provision so referred to, the reference shall include such additional provisions.Wherever in this code, in any act, in general law, elsewhere in law, in any charter, in any ordinance, resolution or order of a municipality, or in any order, ordinance or resolution of a county court or other unit of government, reference is made to any section, any article, any particular provision or any term of chapter eight of this code as it existed immediately prior to the effective date of this new chapter eight or to any section, any article, any particular provision or any term of former chapter eight-a of this code, such reference shall henceforth be read, construed and understood to mean the comparable section, article, particular provision or term in this new chapter eight.