reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 15.2-2638 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2638. Powers of counties generally; approval of voters required

A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, no county has the power to contract any debt or to issue its bonds unless a majority of the voters of the county voting on the question at an election held in accordance with §§ 15.2-2610 and 15.2-2611 approve contracting the debt, borrowing the money and issuing the bonds.B. Voter approval is not required for a county (i) to contract debt or to issue bonds described in Article VII, Section 10(a)(1) and (3) of the Constitution of Virginia, (ii) to issue refunding bonds, or (iii) to issue bonds, with the consent of the school board and the governing body of the county, for capital projects for school purposes which are sold to the Literary Fund, the Virginia Retirement System, or other state agency prescribed by law.Code 1950, § 15-666.28; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-185; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 224; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.39; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-2639 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2639. County may elect to be treated as city for issuing bonds

Any county may, upon approval by the affirmative vote of the voters of the county voting in an election on the question, elect to be treated as a city for the purpose of incurring debt and issuing bonds under this chapter. If a county so elects, it will thereafter be subject to all of the benefits and limitations of Article VII, Section 10 (a) of the Constitution of Virginia and all provisions of this chapter relating to bonded indebtedness applicable to municipalities, but in determining the debt limitation for such county under § 15.2-2634 there shall be included, unless otherwise excluded under Article VII, Section 10 (a) of the Constitution of Virginia, indebtedness of any town or district in that county empowered to levy taxes on real estate.1971, Ex. Sess., c. 224, § 15.1-185.1; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.40; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-2640 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2640. Resolution for bond issue; contents; request for bonds for school purposes

Whenever the governing body of any county determines that it is advisable to contract a debt and issue general obligation bonds of the county, it shall adopt an ordinance or resolution setting forth in brief and general terms the purpose or purposes for which the bonds are to be issued and the maximum amount of the bonds to be issued.Where voter approval is required or permitted by the Constitution of Virginia or this chapter, the ordinance or resolution shall request the circuit court to order an election to be held pursuant to §§ 15.2-2610 and 15.2-2611 on the question of contracting the debt and issuing the proposed bonds.Before the adoption of an ordinance or resolution by the governing body of any county requesting the ordering of an election on the question of contracting a debt and issuing bonds for school purposes, or, if no referendum is required, adopting an ordinance or resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds for school purposes, the school board of the county must first request, by resolution, the governing body of the county to take such action.If voter approval is not required by the Constitution of Virginia or the provisions of this chapter, the governing body of the county has all the powers granted by this chapter to the governing bodies of municipalities with respect to incurring debt and issuing bonds.Code 1950, § 15-666.29; 1958, c. 640; 1960, c. 563; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-186; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 224; 1980, c. 559; 1989, c. 177; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.41; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-2641 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2641. Subsequent resolutions

If the question of contracting a debt, borrowing money and issuing bonds for the purpose or purposes set forth in the ordinance or resolution is approved at the election called and held for such purpose, the governing body of the county, subsequent to the recording of the results of the election, may, by ordinance or resolution, at one time or from time to time, authorize the issuance of bonds. A copy of each ordinance or resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds, certified by the clerk of the governing body of the county, shall be filed with the clerk of the circuit court for the county.Code 1950, § 15-666.32; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-189; 1980, c. 559; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.42; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-2642 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2642. School district bonds

The governing body of any county, acting for and on behalf of any school district in the county, or acting for and on behalf of two or more school districts jointly, may provide for the issuance of general obligation bonds of the school district or districts for school purposes. Where voter approval is required by the Constitution of Virginia or the provisions of this chapter, the bonds shall not be issued unless a majority of the voters of the district voting in the election held pursuant to §§ 15.2-2610 and 15.2-2611 on the question in the district, or in each of the districts separately, approve the contracting of the debt and the issuing of the bonds. The bonds of two or more school districts shall be issued as joint obligations of such school districts. Any school district, or any school districts jointly, shall constitute a locality. For the purpose of this section, each magisterial district in each county shall constitute a school district, but any such school district shall not include a town constituting a separate school district. In any county where an incorporated town constitutes both a school district and an entire magisterial district, the remaining magisterial districts shall, upon the adoption of resolutions by the governing body and the school board, constitute a single school district which may thereafter issue general obligation bonds for school purposes after approval by a majority of all the voters of the district voting in an election on the question. The issuance of the bonds shall be governed by the provisions of this chapter.Code 1950, § 15-666.32:1; 1958, c. 640; 1962, cc. 76, 623, § 15.1-190; 1964, c. 133; 1968, c. 611; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 224; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.43; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-2643 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2643. Authority for issuance; resolutions or ordinances

The governing body of any locality is authorized to provide by resolution or ordinance for the issuance of bonds of the locality for the purpose of refunding any or all bonds of the locality now or hereafter outstanding, other than obligations issued in anticipation of the collection of the revenue of the locality for the then current year, and for the purpose of paying the cost of issuing the refunding bonds, whether the locality created the indebtedness or assumed or became liable for it and whether or not the indebtedness to be refunded has matured or is then subject to redemption.This article shall without reference to any other sections of the Code or acts of the General Assembly be full authority for the issuance, sale, or exchange of bonds authorized under it, and no order, resolution or proceeding in respect of the issuance of the bonds shall be necessary except as required by this article. No approval of the authorization, sale, or exchange of bonds under this article shall be required by any official, court, board, or body and no publication of any notice, order, resolution, or proceeding relating to the issuance of refunding bonds shall be necessary, except as expressly required in this article. The authorization and issuance of refunding bonds shall not be subject to referendum.Code 1950, § 15-666.33; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-192; 1977, c. 442; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.44; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-2644 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2644. Issuance or exchange for indebtedness to be retired; sale and disposition of proceeds; rights of owners

Any refunding bonds may be issued or exchanged for the indebtedness to be retired by them, including indebtedness not matured, redeemable or surrendered for retirement. Unless so exchanged, any locality may sell refunding bonds authorized under the provisions of this article in such manner, either at public or private sale, and for such price as the governing body of the locality may determine. The proceeds of any refunding bonds may be applied to (i) the payment of matured or redeemable indebtedness, including any redemption premium, (ii) the payment of unmatured indebtedness the evidences of which are on deposit with a bank or trust company designated by the locality for surrender to the locality upon receipt of payment in an amount not exceeding the amount of the indebtedness, or (iii) the establishment of an escrow or sinking fund consisting of cash and noncallable obligations of, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America or noncallable obligations of, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the Commonwealth in an amount which together with interest to be earned on such obligations shall be sufficient to pay all indebtedness to be refunded either at maturity or upon redemption as provided for upon the creation of the escrow or sinking fund. Any escrow or sinking fund established, in whole or in part, from the proceeds of the sale of refunding bonds shall be irrevocably pledged to the payment of the indebtedness to be refunded and shall be used solely to pay the indebtedness at maturity or upon redemption or for the purchase of not less than all of the indebtedness to be refunded. It is the intent that any escrow or sinking fund established pursuant to this section shall constitute a special fund for the payment of the refunded indebtedness and that the refunded indebtedness shall not be included for the purpose of determining any limitation upon the amount of indebtedness of the locality which is imposed by law.The owners of any outstanding indebtedness to be refunded shall be divested of all rights and security relating to the indebtedness, except the right to payment when due of principal, premium, if any, and interest, which shall be paid solely from the escrow or sinking fund; provided that, in the case of debt issued before March 27, 1977, the governing body of the locality may provide that if the escrow or sinking fund is in any respect insufficient to make payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, the original rights and security relating to the indebtedness shall be restored to the extent necessary to provide full payment.Code 1950, § 15-666.34; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-193; 1977, c. 442; 1985, c. 196; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.45; 1994, c. 714; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-2645 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2645. Amount of bonds

No refunding bonds shall be issued in a principal amount exceeding that necessary to amortize the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the bonds to be refunded and pay all expenses reasonably incurred in the issuance of the refunding bonds less the amount then in any sinking, escrow and other funds which are available for the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on the bonds to be refunded.Code 1950, § 15-666.35; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-194; 1977, c. 442; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.47; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-2646 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2646. Participation in funds donated by the Commonwealth

The issuance of refunding bonds for the retirement of bonds which are now or may hereafter be entitled to participate in funds donated by the Commonwealth, or funds receivable from any source other than local taxes levied for such purposes, shall not be construed to deprive the bonds of the right to continue to participate in the distribution of those funds, and the refunding bonds after their issuance shall enjoy all rights as would have been enjoyed by the bonds refunded.Code 1950, § 15-666.36; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-195; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.48; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-2647 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2647. Expenses of authorization and issuance; agent to assist in refunding transaction

The governing body may authorize the payment by any locality of all expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with the authorization and issuance of refunding bonds. The governing body may appoint or retain an agent for the purpose of assisting it in the refunding transaction and in obtaining the surrender of its outstanding bonds and may pay a fee to the agent as it may consider proper.Code 1950, § 15-666.37; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-196; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.49; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-2648 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2648. Purchase in open market

Provision may be made in the proceedings authorizing refunding bonds for the purchase of the refunded bonds in the open market or pursuant to tenders made from time to time when there is available in the escrow or sinking fund for the payment of the refunded bonds a surplus in an amount or amounts to be fixed in such proceedings.Code 1950, § 15-666.38; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-197; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.50; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-2649 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2649. District refunding bonds

The governing body of any county, acting for and in behalf of any road district, magisterial district, sanitary district, or school district in the county, may provide for the issuance of refunding bonds of the district for the purpose of refunding any bonds of the district. The issuance of the refunding bonds shall be governed by the provisions of this chapter insofar as they may be applicable.Code 1950, § 15-666.39; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-198; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.51; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-2650 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2650. Article controlling as to proceedings involving validity

The provisions of this article apply to all suits, actions and proceedings of whatever nature involving the validity of bonds of any locality or other political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of the Commonwealth or of any locality, whether the bonds are to be issued following an election on the question of their issuance or without necessity of an election. These provisions supersede all other acts and statutes on the subject and are controlling in all cases, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law or charter to the contrary.Code 1950, § 15-666.54; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-213; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.52; 1997, c. 587; 2003, c. 570.
VA Code § 15.2-2651 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2651. Proceeding by political subdivision to establish validity; procedure; parties defendant

The governing body of any locality or other political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of the Commonwealth or of any locality proposing to issue bonds may bring at any time a proceeding in any court of the county or city having general jurisdiction and in which the issuer is located to establish the validity of the bonds, the legality of all proceedings taken in connection with the authorization or issuance of the bonds, the validity of the tax or other means provided for the payment of the bonds, and the validity of all pledges of revenues and of all covenants and provisions which constitute a part of the contract between the issuer and the owners of the bonds. The proceeding shall be brought by filing a motion for judgment describing the bonds and the proceedings taken in connection with their issuance and alleging that the bonds when issued shall be valid and legal obligations of the issuer. In the motion for judgment the taxpayers, property owners and citizens of the jurisdiction where the issuer is located, including nonresidents owning property in or subject to taxation by it, and all other persons interested in or affected in any way by the issuance of the bonds shall be made parties defendant.Code 1950, § 15-666.55; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-214; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.53; 1997, c. 587; 2003, c. 570.
VA Code § 15.2-2652 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2652. Service by publication of motion for judgment; parties defendant

Upon the filing of the motion for judgment the court shall fix the time and place for hearing the proceeding and shall enter an order requiring the publication of the motion for judgment or a summary of it approved by the court, together with the order setting forth the time and place of the hearing, once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper published or having general circulation in the jurisdiction where the issuer is located. The date fixed for the hearing shall not be sooner than ten days after the date the second publication of the motion for judgment or summary and the order appears in the newspaper.By the publication of the motion for judgment or summary and the order, all taxpayers, property owners and citizens of the jurisdiction where the issuer is located, including nonresidents owning property in or subject to taxation by it, and all other persons having or claiming any right, title or interest in any property or funds affected in any way by the issuance of the bonds, or having or claiming to have any right or interest in the subject matter of the motion for judgment, shall be considered parties defendant in the proceedings, and the court shall have jurisdiction of them the same as if each of them were named individually as a defendant in the motion for judgment and personally served with process.Code 1950, § 15-666.56; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-215; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.54; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-2653 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2653. Contesting issuance of bonds; notice and hearing; service on member of governing body, etc.

Any person, corporation, or association desiring to contest the issuance of any bonds pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, or any other law, general or special, shall proceed by filing a motion for judgment within thirty days after the filing of the resolution or ordinance authorizing the issuance of the bonds with the circuit court having jurisdiction over the issuer, or in contesting the validity of a petition for or the results of a referendum, within thirty days after the date that the result of the election for the issuance of the bonds is certified, in the court having jurisdiction as provided in § 15.2-2651. For bonds which are not authorized pursuant to a referendum, or for which the authorizing resolution or ordinance is not required to be filed with the circuit court, the contestant shall proceed by filing a motion for judgment within thirty days after the adoption of the authorizing resolution or ordinance. Upon the filing of a motion for judgment, the court shall fix a time and place for hearing the proceeding and shall enter an order requiring the publication of the motion for judgment or a summary of it approved by the court, together with the order setting forth the time and place of the hearing, once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper published or having general circulation in the jurisdiction where the issuer is located. The date fixed for the hearing shall not be sooner than ten days after the date the second publication of the motion for judgment or summary and the order appears in the newspaper. In addition to such publication, the plaintiff shall secure personal service on at least one member of the governing body of the issuer.Code 1950, § 15-666.57; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-216; 1979, c. 184; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.55; 1994, c. 714; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-2654 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2654. Reply by party defendant; intervention by interested parties; determination of questions; orders; precedence over other business

Any party defendant may reply to the motion for judgment within ten days after its second publication as required by §§ 15.2-2652 and 15.2-2653 but not thereafter. Any property owner, taxpayer, citizen or other person in interest may become a party to the proceedings by pleading to the motion for judgment on or before the time set for hearing as provided by § 15.2-2652 or § 15.2-2653, or such earlier time as may be specified in the order of the court, or thereafter by intervention upon leave of the court. At the time and place designated in the order for the hearing as provided for in § 15.2-2652 or § 15.2-2653, the judge shall proceed to hear and determine all questions of law and fact in the proceeding and may make such orders as to the proceeding and such adjournments as will enable the judge properly to try and determine the proceeding and to render a final decree with the least possible delay. The proceeding shall take precedence over all other business of the court.Code 1950, § 15-666.58; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-217; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.56; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-2655 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 26 - Public Finance Act|§ 15.2-2655. Consolidation of actions or proceedings

Upon motion of the plaintiff or the issuer, the court in which the first proceeding to invalidate or sustain the bonds was instituted may enjoin the commencement by any person, corporation, or association of any other action or proceeding involving the validity of the bonds or any matter recited in the motion for judgment. The court may order a joint hearing before it of all issues then pending in any actions or proceedings in any court in the Commonwealth, may order all such actions or proceedings consolidated with the validation proceeding pending before it, and may make such orders as may be necessary or proper to effect consolidation and as may tend to avoid unnecessary costs or delays. Such orders shall not be appealable.Code 1950, § 15-666.59; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-218; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.57; 1997, c. 587.