reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 15.2-3529 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3529. Consolidation agreement generally; advisory committee; filing agreement and referendum petition with court

The board of supervisors or council of the locality desiring to consolidate into a county or city, or any county and all incorporated towns located entirely therein desiring to consolidate into a county or city may enter into a joint agreement for such consolidation, setting forth in such consolidation agreement the following:1. The names of the localities proposing to consolidate;2. The name of the county or counties or city into which the localities propose to consolidate; or that the localities agree to conduct a subsequent referendum to be voted on by the people of the consolidated county or city prior to the effective date of the consolidation to select the name for the consolidated county or city. The name chosen shall not be one that has been restricted or prohibited by law;3. The property, real or personal, belonging to each locality, and the fair value thereof in current money of the United States;4. The indebtedness, bonded and otherwise, of each locality;5. The day upon which the consolidation agreement shall become effective, provided that, if an agreement proposes the creation of a consolidated city, the effective date shall be stated in the charter enacted by the General Assembly; and6. Any other provisions which may be properly embodied in the agreement.Each governing body may appoint an advisory committee composed of three persons to assist it in the preparation of an agreement, and may pay the members of the advisory committee reasonable compensation, which shall be approved by the circuit court for the locality.The original of the consolidation agreement, together with a petition on behalf of the several governing bodies, signed by the chairman and the mayor and the clerk of each of the bodies, asking that a referendum on the question of consolidation of the localities, shall be filed with a judge of a circuit court having jurisdiction over any of the localities proposing to consolidate; however, when the consolidation agreement proposes the creation of a consolidated city that includes at least one county, the petition shall ask for proceedings pursuant to §§ 15.2-3521 through 15.2-3528 prior to such referendum. A copy of the agreement shall be filed with the judge of each circuit court having jurisdiction in the localities that are parties to the agreement.Code 1950, § 15-221; 1956, c. 554; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1131; 1968, c. 694; 1975, c. 517; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3530 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3530. Continuation of services of Department of Transportation after consolidation

When a county and city consolidate into a city, or a combination of counties and a city or cities consolidate into a city, or when any county and all of the incorporated towns located entirely therein are consolidated into a city or cities, the Commissioner of Highways shall continue the full services of the Department of Transportation in those areas which were formerly a county or counties in the same manner and to the same extent such services were rendered prior to such consolidation. Funds for the maintenance, construction and reconstruction of streets within the areas formerly a county or counties shall continue to be allocated as if such areas were still in the county or counties, and such city or cities shall not receive funds for maintenance, construction or reconstruction of streets in those areas. In those areas where the Department of Transportation provides the above services, the governing body of such city or cities, as the case may be, shall have control over the streets and highways to the same extent as was formerly vested in the governing body of the county or counties.Notwithstanding the above, at any time subsequent to the consolidation, when in the opinion of the Commissioner, the consolidated area which was formerly a county or counties or any portion thereof becomes substantially urbanized, the Commissioner may by agreement with the governing body of the city, transfer the streets in any area deemed urbanized to the city for construction, reconstruction and maintenance, and thereafter funds for such streets shall be allocated as otherwise provided by law for city streets.1968, c. 694, § 15.1-1131.1; 1970, cc. 180, 223; 1979, c. 85; 1991, c. 189; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3531 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3531. Voters' petition requesting consolidation agreement and referendum

The voters of any locality whose governing body has not taken the initiative under § 15.2-3529, may require it to do so by filing a petition with the governing body. The petition shall be signed by not less than fifteen percent of the voters of the locality registered to vote as of January 1 of the year in which the petition is filed, which number in no case shall be less than 100, and shall ask the governing body in accordance with § 15.2-3529 to effect a consolidation agreement with the localities named in the petition and to petition the judge for a referendum on the question. All of the signatures on the petition must have been made within twelve months. A copy of the petition of the voters shall also be filed with the judge of each circuit court having jurisdiction in the county or town or the judge of the circuit court in the city. If the governing body within one year is unable, or for any reason fails, to perfect such consolidation agreement, then the judge of the circuit court having jurisdiction in the county or town or the judge of the circuit court of the city shall appoint a committee of five representative citizens of the locality to act for and in lieu of the governing body in perfecting the consolidation agreement and in petitioning for a referendum.When a consolidation agreement adopted under the provisions of this section proposes the creation of a consolidated city which will include at least one existing county, the petition shall ask for proceedings pursuant to §§ 15.2-3521 through 15.2-3528 prior to such referendum.Code 1950, § 15-222; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1132; 1968, c. 634; 1975, c. 517; 1979, c. 85; 1981, c. 78; 1988, c. 728; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3532 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3532. Required provisions of consolidation agreement

In addition to the provisions required by § 15.2-3529, any consolidation agreement adopted pursuant to this article shall contain the following provisions:1. The disposition of all property, real or personal, of any locality affected by the proposed consolidation, including any and all debts due to any such locality;2. Reimbursement for, or assumption of, a just proportion of any existing debt of any locality proposed to be consolidated by the consolidated county or city;3. Towns located within any county which proposes to consolidate with another county or city, or combination thereof, into a consolidated city, and not a party to the consolidation agreement, shall continue as townships within the proposed consolidated city;4. Towns located within any county which proposes to consolidate with another county or city, or combination thereof, into a consolidated county, and not a party to the consolidation agreement, shall continue as towns within the proposed consolidated county.Code 1950, § 15-222.1; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1133; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3533 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3533. Transfer of property and indebtedness

If the proposed consolidation is approved by a majority vote of the voters of each locality proposed to be consolidated, voting in the election hereinafter provided for, then the title to all property shall be vested in, and the indebtedness become a debt of, the respective localities according to the agreement, without any further act or deed.Code 1950, § 15-222.2; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1134; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3535 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3535. Advertising of charter

The governing bodies, or a committee acting for and in lieu of the governing body under § 15.2-3531, may draft a charter for a consolidated city or a tier-city to be adopted as a part of the consolidation agreement. The advertising of the consolidation agreement as provided in § 15.2-3537 shall include a statement that a copy of the text of the charter is on file in the clerks' offices of the circuit courts of the consolidating localities and is open to public inspection.1984, c. 695, § 15.1-1135.1; 1986, c. 312; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3536 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3536. Charter for consolidated city

If a proposed charter for a consolidated city has been approved by the General Assembly for adoption in any area in which a consolidation of localities is proposed to be effected in accordance with the provisions of this article, then in any subsequent proceedings under the provisions of this article, such charter may be used as the basis for a new consolidation agreement, or upon petition of ten percent of the registered voters of any county and city as of January 1 of the year in which the petition is filed subject to the provisions of this article, such proposed charter may be submitted to the voters of such counties and cities for adoption as the charter of the consolidated city and shall in all respects fulfill the requirements of the consolidation agreement provided for in this article.Code 1950, § 15-222.4; 1950, p. 1609; 1952, c. 267; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1136; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3537 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3537. Publication of consolidation agreement

Each locality which is a party to a consolidation agreement shall cause a copy of the consolidation agreement, or a descriptive summary of the agreement and a reference to the place in the locality where a copy of the agreement may be examined, to be published in its locality at least once a week for four successive weeks in a newspaper having a general circulation in the locality.Code 1950, § 15-223; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1137; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3538 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3538. Order for election

When publication of the consolidation agreement or descriptive summary in each of the localities is completed or, in the case of a proposed consolidated new city, when the court has entered an appropriate order under the provisions of subsection A of § 15.2-3526, the respective chief judges of the circuit courts for the counties and for the cities, shall, by order entered of record in each county and city, require the regular election officers of the locality on the day fixed in the order, issued in accordance with Article 5 (§ 24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, which date shall be the same in each of the localities proposing to consolidate, to open a poll and take the sense of the voters of each locality on the question submitted as hereinafter provided. Certification from the owner, editor or manager of each newspaper publishing the agreement or descriptive summary shall be proof of publication.Code 1950, § 15-224; 1950, p. 1608; 1956, c. 554; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1138; 1975, c. 517; 1979, c. 85; 1986, c. 312; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3539 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3539. Conduct of election

The regular election officers, at the time designated in the order authorizing the vote, shall open the polls at the various voting places in their respective localities and conduct the election in such manner as is provided by general law for other elections insofar as the same is applicable. The ballots for each county, including the towns therein, and for each city shall be prepared by the electoral boards thereof and distributed to the various election precincts thereof as provided by law. The ballots used shall be printed and shall contain the following:"Shall........… (here insert the names of localities proposing to consolidate) consolidate?[ ] Yes[ ] No"In the case of a consolidation agreement offering to the voters the option of choosing between two forms of government, the ballots used shall also contain the following:"What form of consolidated government shall be adopted?(Vote for one only)[ ] City charter, or[ ] County form"If the option is between other forms of county government, then the ballots shall be printed accordingly.Code 1950, § 15-225; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1139; 1975, c. 214; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3540 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3540. Result of elections; determination of form of government

The ballots shall be counted and returns made and canvassed as in other elections, and the results certified by the electoral board to each of the judges of the circuit courts having jurisdiction in the localities proposing to be consolidated. If it appears by the report that a majority of the voters of each locality voting on the question submitted are in favor of the consolidation provided that no separate vote on the question shall be required in towns within a county when such county proposes to consolidate in its entirety with a county or city having a common boundary, the judge or judges shall enter such fact of record in each such county and city and shall notify the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Upon the day prescribed in the order for the consolidation agreement to become effective, the localities shall be consolidated into a city or into a city and one or more counties or into a single county as proposed in the consolidation agreement.If the election offers to the voters a choice between forms of government, the question shall be determined by a majority of all the voters voting in such election and reported accordingly.Code 1950, § 15-226; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1140; 1970, c. 751; 1975, c. 214; 1978, c. 642; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3541 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3541. General effect of consolidation; officers

Upon the effective date of consolidation, the localities so consolidated, other than the consolidated county or city or town, and other than townships as provided by § 15.2-3548, shall terminate, as shall the terms of office and the rights, powers, duties and compensation of the officers, agents and employees of each such county, city or town. When such agreement provides for consolidation of the area into a county or city, or when such agreement provides for consolidation of the area into a county in which a tier-city will exist, then the judge or judges of the court or courts having jurisdiction within the area comprised by the consolidated county or city shall order an election to be held not less than thirty nor more than 185 days after the date upon which the referendum provided for in §§ 15.2-3538, 15.2-3539 and 15.2-3540 was held, but at least thirty days before the effective date of such consolidation agreement, at which election officers for the new consolidated county or city, or for the new consolidated county and tier-city shall be elected.The officers so elected shall take office upon the effective date of consolidation and shall serve until their successors have been elected, qualified and taken office. Their successors shall be elected at the next regular election time for such officers as provided for by general law.No election required by this section or by § 15.2-3538 shall be held on the day of a primary election nor within the sixty days prior to a general or primary election. Should the final day by which either such election must be held fall within the sixty days prior to a general election, the required election must be held on the same day as the general election. Should such final day fall within the sixty days prior to a primary election, the required election must be held not less than thirty nor more than forty-five days after the primary election.Code 1950, § 15-227; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1141; 1979, c. 85; 1984, c. 695; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3542 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3542. Governing body to be elected and take office before effective date of consolidation in certain cases; powers

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 15.2-3541 or any other statutory provision, in any consolidation which results in the formation of a consolidated county with a tier-city therein, the consolidation agreement may provide as follows:1. The special election provided in § 15.2-3541 may apply solely to election of members of boards of supervisors and members of tier-city councils, with all other elected officers being elected at the general election next preceding the effective date of consolidation.2. Members of the governing bodies elected at such special elections may assume office immediately upon qualification, and no later than thirty days following the date upon which the special election was held, as provided in § 24.2-201, and shall hold office prior to the effective date of consolidation, only for such of the following limited purposes as may be provided by the consolidation agreement:a. Organization of itself and election of one of its members as chairman of the board of supervisors or as mayor, as the case may be.b. Preparation and approval of budgets applicable to the respective newly formed governmental entities, for the fiscal year or partial fiscal year beginning with the effective date of consolidation.c. Adoption of ordinances required or permitted by the consolidation agreement, to be effective upon the date of consolidation.d. Hiring by the newly elected tier-city council of a tier-city manager, tier-city attorney and clerk of council.e. Hiring by the newly elected board of supervisors of its chief administrative officer, county attorney, and clerk of board.f. Negotiation, preparation and approval of leases, servicing agreements, and other documents required by the consolidation agreement, or otherwise deemed advisable.B. Prior to the effective date of consolidation, provision shall be made for funding the activities described in subdivision 2 of subsection A.C. Upon the effective date of consolidation, all elected officers who have taken the oath of office shall assume full powers, duties, rights and responsibilities of their respective offices.D. Any member of a governing body of a consolidating locality may be elected to public office, for which he or she is otherwise qualified, in a governing body of a new governmental entity formed by consolidation. For the limited time period and limited purposes specified in subdivision 2 of subsection A, such officers may hold both offices at the same time.1984, c. 695, § 15.1-1141.1; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3544 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3544. Effect on pending suits

Any action or proceeding pending by or against any of the consolidated localities may be perfected to judgment as if such consolidation had not taken place, or the consolidated locality, if any, may be substituted.Code 1950, § 15-228; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1142; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3545 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3545. Effect on assembly districts

For the purpose of representation of the consolidated localities in the General Assembly, the existing senatorial and house districts shall continue until changed in accordance with law.Code 1950, § 15-229; 1958, c. 332; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1143; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3546 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3546. Effect on jurisdiction of courts

Unless and until changed by general law, the jurisdiction and authority of the circuit courts having jurisdiction within any area covered by the consolidation agreement shall remain as provided for in general law as if no consolidation had occurred.Code 1950, § 15-230; 1956, c. 554; 1958, c. 101; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1144; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3547 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3547. Consolidation of entire county requires no action of town council

An entire county may be consolidated with any county or city having a common boundary in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this article without the necessity of any action concerning the consolidation being taken by the council of any town situated in such county and without the necessity of a separate referendum in any such town on the question of the consolidation.Code 1950, § 15-231; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1145; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3548 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3548. Effect on town charter

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, any town located within or partially within a county proposing to consolidate with another county or city, or combination thereof, into a consolidated county and which is not a party to the consolidation agreement, shall continue as a town in the consolidated county.B. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, in the event a proposed consolidation of a county with another county or city into a consolidated city is approved by the voters as provided in § 15.2-3540, any town located within or partially within a county and not a party to the consolidation agreement shall continue as a township. The charter of such town shall become the charter of the township. Such townships established pursuant to this subsection shall continue to exercise such powers and elect such officers as the township charter may authorize and shall exercise such other powers as towns exercise under general law. However, no township shall exercise the powers granted towns by Chapter 38 (§ 15.2-3800 et seq.) or by Article 1 (§ 15.2-3200 et seq.) of Chapter 32, or any extraterritorial authority granted towns by Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.), except that a township created as a result of a consolidation of a city and county subsequent to July 1, 2011, may institute proceedings for annexation pursuant to Article 1 (§ 15.2-3200 et seq.) of Chapter 32 if the consolidation agreement permits a township to exercise such authority. The consolidated city shall exercise such powers in the township as were exercised by the county in the town prior to consolidation. Townships shall receive from the Commonwealth financial assistance in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided towns. A township may transfer all or part of the revenues it receives, the services it performs, its facilities, other assets, and debts to the consolidated city by agreement of the governing bodies.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-1146.1; 1997, c. 587; 2011, cc. 337, 349.