reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 1 - Code of Virginia › § 1-5. Effect of such repeal as to persons in office

All persons who, at the time when such repeal takes effect, shall hold any office under any of the acts hereby repealed, shall continue to hold the same according to the tenure thereof, except those offices which may have been abolished, and those as to which a different provision is made by this Code.
Code 1919, § 6571; R. P. 1948, § 1-5.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 1 - Code of Virginia › § 1-6. Effect of repeal of validating statutes

The repeal by any provisions of this Code of a statute validating previous acts, contracts or transactions shall not affect the validity of such acts, contracts or transactions, but the same shall remain as valid as if there had been no such repeal, but no further.
Code 1919, § 8; R. P. 1948, § 1-6.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 1 - Code of Virginia › § 1-7. Acts passed between certain dates not affected

The enactment of this Code shall not affect any act passed by the General Assembly, which shall have become a law after January 14, 1948, and before February 1, 1950; but every such act shall have full effect, and so far as the same varies from or conflicts with any provision contained in this Code it shall have effect as a subsequent act, and as repealing any part of this Code inconsistent therewith; provided, however, that any such act which becomes a law between said dates and which amends and reenacts, or reenacts any previously existing provisions of law conferring any power or imposing any duty upon any department, board, commission, agency or officer of the state government whose functions, powers and duties are affected by any of the provisions of this Code becoming effective July 1, 1948, shall be construed as conferring the powers and imposing the duties specified therein upon the department, board, commission, agency or officer of the state government to which or to whom the duties and powers imposed or conferred by such previously existing provisions of law were transferred by the provisions of this Code becoming effective July 1, 1948.
Code 1919, § 6568; R. P. 1948, § 1-7.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 1 - Code of Virginia › § 1-8. Notice, recognizance or process given, taken or issued before Code in force

Although a notice, recognizance or process shall have been given, taken or issued before the day prescribed for the commencement of this Code, or of any provisions of this Code, it may, nevertheless, be given, taken or returnable to a day after such commencement, or to a court established by this Code or the clerk's office of such court, in like manner as if this Code had commenced before the same was given, taken, or issued.
Code 1919, § 6570; R. P. 1948, § 1-8.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 1 - Code of Virginia › § 1-9. Pending cases; parties; where books, records and papers to remain

Nothing in this Code shall operate to discontinue any cause or matter, civil or criminal, which shall be pending and undetermined in any court on the day before this Code, or any provision of this Code, takes effect; but every such cause and matter shall be proceeded in, tried and determined in such court, or in the court which succeeds to or has its jurisdiction, and in the names of the same parties, or in the names of any officers, boards, commission, or other persons or bodies who may have succeeded under the provisions of this Code to the rights or obligations of such parties, or any of them. The papers and records of such causes and matters, and all books, records and papers whatever which on such day may be in the custody of any clerk of a court shall remain in custody of the clerk of the same, or of such court as succeeds to or has its jurisdiction.
Code 1919, § 6570; R. P. 1948, § 1-9.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-200. The common law

The common law of England, insofar as it is not repugnant to the principles of the Bill of Rights and Constitution of this Commonwealth, shall continue in full force within the same, and be the rule of decision, except as altered by the General Assembly.
Code 1919, § 2, § 1-10; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-201. Acts of Parliament

The right and benefit of all writs, remedial and judicial, given by any statute or act of Parliament, made in aid of the common law prior to the fourth year of the reign of James the First, of a general nature, not local to England, shall still be saved, insofar as the same are consistent with the Bill of Rights and Constitution of this Commonwealth and the Acts of Assembly.
Code 1919, § 3, § 1-11; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-202. General rule of construction

The rules and definitions set forth in this chapter shall be used in the construction of this Code and the acts of the General Assembly, unless the construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intention of the General Assembly.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 20; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-204. Age of majority

For the purposes of all laws of the Commonwealth including common law, case law, and the acts of the General Assembly, unless an exception is specifically provided in this Code, a person shall be an adult, shall be of full age, and shall reach the age of majority when he becomes 18 years of age.
1972, cc. 824, 825, § 1-13.42; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-205. Bond with surety

"Bond with surety" includes the payment in cash of the full amount of the required bond and, in such case, no surety shall be required.
1977, c. 156, § 1-13.1:1; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-206. Certified mail equivalent to registered mail; certain subsequent mail or notice may be sent by regular mail

A. If any mail or notice is required to be sent by registered mail, it shall constitute compliance with this requirement if such mail or notice is sent by certified mail.
B. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, whenever a state agency is required to send any mail or notice by certified mail and such mail or notice is sent certified mail, return receipt requested, then any subsequent, identical mail or notice that is sent by such state agency may be sent by regular mail.
C. As used in this section, "state agency" means the same as that term is defined in § 2.2-4347.
1956, c. 647, § 1-15.1; 2005, c. 839; 2011, c. 566.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-207. Child; juvenile; minor; infant

"Child," "juvenile," "minor," "infant," or any combination thereof means a person less than 18 years of age.
1972, cc. 824, 825, § 1-13.42; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-208. City

"City" means an independent incorporated community which became a city as provided by law before noon on July 1, 1971, or which has within defined boundaries a population of 5,000 or more and which has become a city as provided by law.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 21; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 49, § 1-13.2; 1995, c. 155; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-208.1. Carbon-free energy; clean energy

"Carbon-free energy" or "clean energy" includes electric energy generated from a source that does not emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere during the process of generating the electric energy, including electric energy generated by the conversion of sunlight, wind, falling water, wave motion, tides, geothermal or nuclear energy.
2020, c. 811.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-210. Computation of time

A. When an act of the General Assembly or rule of court requires that an act be performed a prescribed amount of time before a motion or proceeding, the day of such motion or proceeding shall not be counted against the time allowed, but the day on which such act is performed may be counted as part of the time. When an act of the General Assembly or rule of court requires that an act be performed within a prescribed amount of time after any event or judgment, the day on which the event or judgment occurred shall not be counted against the time allowed.
B. When the last day for performing an act during the course of a judicial proceeding falls on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or any day or part of a day on which the clerk's office is closed as authorized by an act of the General Assembly, the act may be performed on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or day or part of a day on which the clerk's office is closed as authorized by an act of the General Assembly.
C. When an act of the General Assembly specifies a maximum period of time in which a legal action may be brought and the last day of that period falls on a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or day or part of a day on which the clerk's office is closed as authorized by an act of the General Assembly, the action may be brought on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or day or part of a day on which the clerk's office is closed as authorized by an act of the General Assembly.
D. Any court or proceeding authorized to be adjourned from day to day shall not be required to meet on a Sunday or legal holiday.
E. When an act of the General Assembly or local governing body, order of the court, or administrative regulation or order requires, either by specification of a date or by a prescribed period of time, that an act be performed or an action be filed on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday or on any day or part of a day on which the state or local government office where the act to be performed or the action to be filed is closed, the act may be performed or the action may be filed on the next business day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, legal holiday, or day on which the state or local government office is closed.
F. For the purposes of this section, any day on which the Governor authorizes the closing of the state government shall be considered a legal holiday.
Code 1919, § 5; 1932, p. 24; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, pp. 21, 23, §§ 1-13.3, 1-13.27; 1962, cc. 104, 284, § 1-13.3:1; 1977, c. 93; 1986, c. 166; 1987, c. 92; 2005, c. 839; 2008, c. 816; 2010, c. 96; 2014, c. 596.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-211. Constitutional references

Whenever any act of the General Assembly in effect at noon on July 1, 1971, refers to any section, article, or provision of the prior Constitution of Virginia, such reference shall apply to any comparable section, article, or provision of the Constitution of Virginia then in effect unless the construction would be contrary to the legislative intent of the act.
1971, Ex. Sess., c. 49, § 1-13.41; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-211.1. (Effective until July 1, 2024) Courthouse; posting of notices

If any notice, summons, order, or other official document of any type is required to be posted on or at the front door of a courthouse or on a public bulletin board at a courthouse, it shall constitute compliance with this requirement if the notice, summons, order, or other official document is posted with other such documents where such notice, summons, order or other official document is posted or at or near the principal public entrance to the courthouse in a location that is conspicuous to the public and approved by the chief judge of the circuit in which the courthouse is situated, or both. The requirement to post any notice, summons, order, or other official document of any type is satisfied if such notice, summons, order, or other official document is posted on the public government website of the locality served by the court or the website of the circuit court clerk.
2007, c. 734; 2014, c. 269; 2015, c. 631; 2022, c. 683.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-211.1. (Effective July 1, 2024, until July 1, 2025) Courthouse; posting of notices

If any notice, summons, order, or other official document of any type is required to be posted on or at the front door of a courthouse or on a public bulletin board at a courthouse, it shall constitute compliance with this requirement if the notice, summons, order, or other official document is posted with other such documents where such notice, summons, order or other official document is posted or at or near the principal public entrance to the courthouse in a location that is conspicuous to the public and approved by the chief judge of the circuit in which the courthouse is situated, or both. The requirement to post any notice, summons, order, or other official document of any type is satisfied if such notice, summons, order, or other official document is posted on the public government website of the locality served by the court or the website of the circuit court clerk.
2007, c. 734; 2014, c. 269; 2015, c. 631; 2022, c. 683.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-211.1. (Effective July 1, 2025) Courthouse; posting of notices

If any notice, summons, order, or other official document of any type is required to be posted on or at the front door of a courthouse or on a public bulletin board at a courthouse, it shall constitute compliance with this requirement if the notice, summons, order, or other official document is posted with other such documents where such notice, summons, order or other official document is posted or at or near the principal public entrance to the courthouse in a location that is conspicuous to the public and approved by the chief judge of the circuit in which the courthouse is situated, or both. The requirement to post any notice, summons, order, or other official document of any type is satisfied if such notice, summons, order, or other official document is posted on the public government website of the locality served by the court or the website of the circuit court clerk.
2007, c. 734; 2014, c. 269; 2015, c. 631; 2022, c. 683.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-213. Delegation of duties assigned to political subdivision

The governing body of a political subdivision shall be responsible for any duty or responsibility imposed upon its political subdivision.
1986, c. 239, § 1-17.2; 1987, c. 471; 1988, c. 273; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-214. Effective dates

A. All laws enacted at a regular session of the General Assembly, including laws which are enacted by reason of actions taken during the reconvened session following a regular session, but excluding general appropriation acts, decennial reapportionment acts, and emergency acts, shall take effect on the first day of July following the adjournment of the regular session at which they were enacted, unless a subsequent date is specified.
B. All laws enacted at a special session of the General Assembly, including laws which are enacted by reason of actions taken during the reconvened session following a special session, but excluding general appropriations acts, decennial reapportionment acts, and emergency acts, shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month following the month of adjournment of the special session at which they were enacted, unless a subsequent date is specified.
C. A general appropriation act shall take effect from its passage, unless another effective date is specified in the act.
D. An emergency act shall take effect from its passage, or on a subsequent date if specified in the act, provided that the emergency shall be expressed in the body of the act and that the emergency shall be approved by a four-fifths vote of the members voting in each house of the General Assembly. The name of each member voting and how he voted shall be recorded in the journal.
E. A decennial reapportionment act to reapportion the Commonwealth into electoral districts shall take effect immediately.
Code 1919, § 4; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 49, § 1-12; 1981, c. 329; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-216. Gender

A word used in the masculine includes the feminine and neuter.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 21, § 1-13.7; 1997, c. 406; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-217. Headlines of sections

The headlines of the sections printed in black-face type are intended as mere catchwords to indicate the contents of the sections and do not constitute part of the act of the General Assembly.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 21, § 1-13.9; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-219. Land; real estate

"Land," "lands," or "real estate" includes lands, tenements and hereditaments, and all rights and appurtenances thereto and interests therein, other than a chattel interest.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 22, § 1-13.12; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-220. Local ordinances incorporating state law by reference

When counties, cities and towns are empowered to incorporate by reference provisions of the Code, acts of the General Assembly, or state regulations into a local ordinance, any ordinance incorporating by reference provisions of the Code, acts of the General Assembly or state regulations may include future amendments to the provisions of the Code, acts of the General Assembly or state regulations provided such intent is specifically stated in such ordinance.
1993, c. 710, § 1-13.39:2; 2001, c. 771; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-222. Majority authority

Whenever authority is conferred by law to three or more persons, a majority of such persons shall have the power to exercise such authority, unless otherwise provided.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 21, § 1-13.1; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-222.1. Manufacturer

"Manufacturer" shall not include any farm or aggregation of farms that owns and operates facilities within the Commonwealth for the generation of electric energy from waste-to-energy technology. As used in this definition, (i) "farm" means any person that obtains at least 51 percent of its annual gross income from agricultural operations and produces the agricultural waste used as feedstock for the waste-to-energy technology, (ii) "agricultural waste" means biomass waste materials capable of decomposition that are produced from the raising of plants and animals during agricultural operations, including animal manures, bedding, plant stalks, hulls, and vegetable matter, and (iii) "waste-to-energy technology" means any technology, including but not limited to a methane digester, that converts agricultural waste into gas, steam, or heat that is used to generate electricity on-site.
2009, c. 746.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-223. Month; year

"Month" means a calendar month and "year" means a calendar year.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, pp. 22, 24, §§ 1-13.13, 1-13.33; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-227. Number

A word used in the singular includes the plural and a word used in the plural includes the singular.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 22, § 1-13.15; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-229. Optional form of county government; effect of change in form

Whenever any county, city, town, political subdivision, or combination thereof is identified in an act of the General Assembly by reference to its proximity to a county that has adopted an optional form of government provided in Title 15.2, and that county changes its form of government, the act shall continue to apply to such county, city, town, political subdivision, or combination thereof and shall cease to apply only upon the subsequent enactment by the General Assembly of a measure in which such intent clearly is stated.
1990, c. 253, § 1-13.35:1; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-230. Person

"Person" includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 22, § 1-13.19; 1988, c. 36; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-231. When "person" includes business trust and limited liability company

Whenever the term "person" is defined to include both "corporation" and "partnership," such term shall also include "business trust and limited liability company."
2002, c. 621, § 1-13.19:1; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-233. Personal estate

"Personal estate" includes chattels real and such other estate as, upon the death of the owner intestate, would devolve upon his personal representative.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 22, § 1-13.20; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-234. Personal representative

"Personal representative" includes the executor of a will or the administrator of the estate of a decedent, the administrator of such estate with the will annexed, the administrator of such estate unadministered by a former representative, whether there is a will or not, any person who is under the order of a circuit court to take into his possession the estate of a decedent for administration, and every other curator of a decedent's estate, for or against whom suits may be brought for causes of action that accrued to or against the decedent.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 22, § 1-13.21; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 49; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-235. Population; inhabitants

"Population" or "inhabitants" means with reference to any county, city, town, political subdivision of the Commonwealth or any combination thereof, the natural persons in such county, city, town, political subdivision or combination as shown by the unadjusted United States decennial census last preceding the time at which any provision dependent upon population is being applied or the time as of which it is being construed. Where two or more political subdivisions are consolidated, the population of the consolidated county or city or other political subdivision shall be the combined population of the consolidating subdivisions, under the last preceding unadjusted United States decennial census.
1942, p. 668; Michie Code 1942, § 5a; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 23, § 1-13.22; 1954, c. 295, § 1-13.10:1; 1958, c. 330; 1966, c. 78; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-236. Population classifications

Any act of the General Assembly with a population classification applicable to any county, city, town, or subdivision of the Commonwealth or any combination thereof shall continue to apply to any such body notwithstanding any subsequent change in population and shall apply to any county, city, town, or political subdivision of the Commonwealth or any combination thereof subsequently falling within such population classification. The provisions of this section shall not apply to, or limit, the distribution of any state funds, grants-in-aid, or other allocation from the state treasury, to any county, city, town, or other political subdivision of the Commonwealth.
1950, pp. 464, 465, §§ 1-13.35, 1-13.36; 1960, cc. 251, 307; 1962, c. 315; 1964, c. 404; 1966, c. 78; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-237. Process

"Process" includes subpoenas, the summons and complaint in a civil action, and process in statutory actions.
1954, c. 543, § 1-13.23:1; 1986, c. 155; 2005, cc. 681, 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-238. Reenacted

"Reenacted," when used in the title or enactment of a bill or act of the General Assembly, means that the changes enacted to a section of the Code of Virginia or an act of the General Assembly are in addition to the existing substantive provisions in that section or act, and are effective prospectively unless the bill expressly provides that such changes are effective retroactively on a specified date.
The provisions of this section are declaratory of existing public policy and law.
2001, c. 720, § 1-13.39:3; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-239. Repeal not to affect liabilities; mitigation of punishment

No new act of the General Assembly shall be construed to repeal a former law, as to any offense committed against the former law, or as to any act done, any penalty, forfeiture, or punishment incurred, or any right accrued, or claim arising under the former law, or in any way whatever to affect any such offense or act so committed or done, or any penalty, forfeiture, or punishment so incurred, or any right accrued, or claim arising before the new act of the General Assembly takes effect; except that the proceedings thereafter held shall conform, so far as practicable, to the laws in force at the time of such proceedings; and if any penalty, forfeiture, or punishment be mitigated by any provision of the new act of the General Assembly, such provision may, with the consent of the party affected, be applied to any judgment pronounced after the new act of the General Assembly takes effect.
Code 1919, § 6, § 1-16; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-240. Repeal not to revive former act

When an act of the General Assembly that has repealed another act shall itself be repealed, the previous act shall not be revived without express words to that effect, unless the act repealing it be passed during the same session.
Code 1919, § 7, § 1-17; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-241. Seal

"Seal," when required to be affixed by any court or public office to any paper, includes an impression or print of such official seal made upon the paper. When the seal of any natural person is required, it shall be sufficient for the person to place a mark intended as a seal.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 23, § 1-13.25; 1975, c. 500; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-242. Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections

"Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections," whenever the Committee is referred to as an appointing authority, means the Senate Committee designated under the Rules of the Senate to make Senate appointments to study committees and commissions.
2004, c. 709, § 1-13.25:1; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-243. Severability

The provisions of acts of the General Assembly or the application thereof to any person or circumstances that are held invalid shall not affect the validity of other acts, provisions, or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provisions or applications. The provisions of all acts, except for the title of the act, are severable unless (i) the act specifically provides that its provisions are not severable; or (ii) it is apparent that two or more acts or provisions must operate in accord with one another.
1986, c. 239, § 1-17.1; 1987, c. 56; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-244. Short title citations

Whenever a subtitle, chapter, or article does not have a section or provision establishing or authorizing a short title citation for such subtitle, chapter or article, such subtitle, chapter or article may be cited by its caption. The caption is that word or group of words appearing directly below the numerical designation given the subtitle, chapter or article. Captions are intended as mere catchwords to indicate the contents of the subtitles, chapters, and articles and do not constitute part of the act of the General Assembly.
1993, c. 308, § 1-13.9:1; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-245. State

"State," when applied to a part of the United States, includes any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 23, § 1-13.26; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 49; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-246. Stricken language or italics

Stricken language for deletions and italics for additions or changes may be used in legislative drafts, printed bills, enrolled bills, and printed Acts of Assembly, in an attempt to call attention to amendments to existing acts of the General Assembly. The stricken language and italics shall not be construed as evidence of amendments to acts of the General Assembly.
1950, p. 24, § 1-13.34; 1986, c. 155; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-247. Summaries of legislation

Any legislative summary associated with a bill, joint resolution or resolution, including any summary appearing on the face of such legislation, shall not constitute a part of the legislation considered, agreed to, or enacted, and shall not be used to indicate or infer legislative intent.
1997, c. 375, § 30-19.03:2; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-248. Supremacy of federal and state law

The Constitution and laws of the United States and of the Commonwealth shall be supreme. Any ordinance, resolution, bylaw, rule, regulation, or order of any governing body or any corporation, board, or number of persons shall not be inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States or of the Commonwealth.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 22, § 1-13.17; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-250. Swear; sworn

"Swear" or "sworn" means "affirm" or "affirmed."
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 23, § 1-13.28; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-251. Systems of state highways

"Systems of state highways" means all systems of highways within the Commonwealth over which the Commonwealth Transportation Board exercises jurisdiction and control. In context, such words shall apply to the extent, but only to the extent, that the Commonwealth Transportation Board exercises such jurisdiction and control.
1970, c. 136, § 1-13.40; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-252. Tier-city

"Tier-city" means an incorporated community within a consolidated county that (i) has within defined boundaries a population of 5,000 or more, (ii) has been designated as a tier-city by the General Assembly, and (iii) has both the powers of a town and such additional powers as may be granted tier-cities by the General Assembly. All references in this Code and the acts of the General Assembly to towns shall be deemed references to tier-cities, except to the extent tier-cities may be specifically excluded or where the context requires otherwise.
1984, c. 695, §§ 1-13.28:1, 1-13.28:2; 1989, c. 493; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-253. Time zone

The United States Eastern Standard Time shall be in effect in all parts of the Commonwealth except during the period when the United States Eastern Daylight Time shall be in effect as provided by federal law. This section shall not be construed to be in contravention of federal law, or duly authorized orders of the United States Secretary of Transportation with respect to the time zones of the United States and the application of standard time to interstate commerce and other matters within such zones.
In all laws, statutes, orders, decrees, rules and regulations relating to the time of performance of any act by any officer or agency of the Commonwealth, or any political subdivision thereof, or relating to the time in which any rights shall accrue or determine, or within which any act shall or shall not be performed by any person subject to the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth, and in all public schools, institutions of the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions, and contracts or choses in action made or to be performed in the Commonwealth, it shall be understood and intended that the time applicable thereto or referred to or implied therein shall be the United States Eastern Standard Time, or the United States Eastern Daylight Time, when and during such is in effect.
1946, p. 103; Michie Suppl. 1946, § 5b; 1952, c. 637, § 1-15; 1962, c. 617; 1964, c. 646; 1966, c. 581; 1988, c. 177; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-254. Town

"Town" means any existing town or an incorporated community within one or more counties which became a town before noon, July 1, 1971, as provided by law or which has within defined boundaries a population of 1,000 or more and which has become a town as provided by law.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 24, § 1-13.29; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 49; 1995, c. 155; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-255. United States

"United States" includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the United States Virgin Islands.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 24, § 1-13.31; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-256. Weights and measurements; metric equivalents

Words or terms relating to the customary system of weights and measurements include their International System (SI) metric equivalents, but shall not require the posting or publishing of the equivalents along with the customary system of weights and measurements.
1980, c. 465. § 1-15.2; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 2.1 - Common Law and Rules of Construction › § 1-257. Written; writing; in writing

"Written," "writing," and "in writing" include any representation of words, letters, symbols, numbers, or figures, whether (i) printed or inscribed on a tangible medium or (ii) stored in an electronic or other medium and retrievable in a perceivable form and whether an electronic signature authorized by Chapter 42.1 (§ 59.1-479 et seq.) of Title 59.1 is or is not affixed.
Code 1919, § 5; Code 1950, § 1-13; 1950, p. 24, § 1-13.32; 1999, c. 145; 2000, c. 995; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3.1 - Boundaries of the Commonwealth › § 1-300. Boundaries

The territory and boundaries of the Commonwealth shall be and remain the same as they were after the Constitution of Virginia was adopted on June 29, 1776, except for the territory that constitutes West Virginia and its boundaries, and other boundary adjustments as provided in this chapter.
Code 1950, § 7-1; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-1; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3.1 - Boundaries of the Commonwealth › § 1-301. Extent of territory of the Commonwealth after the Constitution of 1776

The authorities in determining the extent of the territory of the Commonwealth after the adoption of the Constitution of 1776 shall consist of:
1. The charter of April 10, 1606, granted by James the First, in the fourth year of his reign, that authorized the first plantation at any place upon the coast of the Commonwealth between the thirty-fourth and forty-first degrees of north latitude; and granted the territory from the seat of the plantation (which under this charter was begun at Jamestown), for 50 miles along the coast towards the west and southwest, as the coast lay, and for 50 miles along the coast, towards the east and northeast, or towards the north, as the coast lay, together with all the islands within 100 miles directly over against the seacoast, and all the territory from the same 50 miles every way on the seacoast, directly into the mainland for the space of 100 miles.
2. The second charter of James, dated May 23, 1609, in the seventh year of his reign, that granted all the territory from the point of land called Cape or Point Comfort, all along the seacoast to the northward 200 miles, and from the point of Cape Comfort all along the seacoast to the southward 200 miles, and all that space and circuit of land lying from the seacoast of the precinct, up into the land, throughout from sea to sea, west and northwest, and also all the islands lying within 100 miles along the coast of both seas of the precinct aforesaid.
3. The third charter of James, dated March 12, 1611-12, in the ninth year of his reign, that granted all the islands in any part of the seas within 300 leagues of any territory granted in the former patents.
4. The 1763 treaty of peace between Great Britain and France that established a line along the middle of the river Mississippi and became the Commonwealth's western boundary.
5. Section 21 of the Constitution of Virginia adopted June 29, 1776, that ceded, released, and confirmed to the people of Maryland, Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina, such parts of the territory of the Commonwealth as were contained within the charters erecting those colonies, with all the rights in those parts that might have been claimed by the Commonwealth, except the free navigation of the Rivers Potomac and Pocomoke, with the property of the Commonwealth shore or strands bordering on either of the rivers, and all improvements thereon; and that at the same time laid down in the section that the western and northern extent of the Commonwealth should in all other respects stand as fixed by the charter of James the First, granted in 1609, and by the treaty of peace between Great Britain and France in 1763, unless by act of the legislature one or more territories should thereafter be laid off, and governments established, westward of the Alleghany mountains.
Code 1950, § 7-1; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-1; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3.1 - Boundaries of the Commonwealth › § 1-302. Jurisdiction and ownership of Commonwealth over offshore waters and submerged lands

A. The jurisdiction of the Commonwealth shall extend to and over, and be exercisable with respect to:
1. Waters offshore from the coasts of the Commonwealth for a distance of three geographical miles as determined by appropriate metes and bounds surveys approved by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission in consultation with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management pursuant to a decree of the United States Supreme Court in U.S. v. Maine, 423 U.S. 1 (1975), and the Submerged Lands Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1301 et seq.
2. All submerged lands, including the subsurface thereof, lying under the waters listed in subdivision 1.
B. The ownership of the waters and submerged lands enumerated or described in subsection A shall be in the Commonwealth unless it shall be, with respect to any given parcel or area, in any other person or entity by virtue of a valid and effective instrument of conveyance or by operation of law.
C. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit or restrict in any way:
1. The jurisdiction of the Commonwealth over any person or with respect to any subject within or without the Commonwealth which jurisdiction is exercisable by reason of citizenship, residence, or for any other reason recognized by law.
2. The jurisdiction or ownership of or over any other waters or submerged lands, within or forming part of the boundaries of the Commonwealth. Nor shall anything in this section be construed to impair the exercise of legislative jurisdiction by the United States over any area to which such jurisdiction has been validly ceded by the Commonwealth and that remains in the ownership of the United States.
D. Nothing in this section shall alter the geographic area to which any act of the General Assembly applies if the act specifies the area precisely in miles or by some other numerical designation of distance or position. However, nothing in the act or in this section shall be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of jurisdiction or ownership by the Commonwealth over or in any area to which such jurisdiction or ownership extends by virtue of this section or any other provision or rule of law.
Code 1950, § 7-1.1; 1960, c. 518; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-2; 1972, c. 689; 2005, c. 839; 2016, c. 371.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3.1 - Boundaries of the Commonwealth › § 1-303. Cession of territory northwest of Ohio River

A. The territory northwest of the Ohio River ceded by the Commonwealth shall be and remain the same as provided by:
1. An act of the General Assembly passed on January 2, 1781, that resolved that this Commonwealth would on certain conditions yield for the benefit of the United States all her right to the territory northwest of the Ohio River.
2. An act of the General Assembly passed on December 20, 1783, that authorized the transfer to the United States, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the act of the United States Congress passed on September 13, 1783 and the deed of cession that was made accordingly.
3. An act of the General Assembly passed on December 30, 1788, whereby, after referring to an ordinance for the government of the territory, passed by the United States Congress on July 13, 1787, and reciting a particular article declared in the ordinance to be part of the compact between the original states and the people and states in the territory, the article of compact was ratified and confirmed.
B. Such cession shall be deemed and taken according to the true intent and meaning of the acts and deed, and subject to all the terms and conditions therein expressed.
Code 1950, § 7-2; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-3; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3.1 - Boundaries of the Commonwealth › § 1-304. Boundary with North Carolina

The boundary line between the Commonwealth and North Carolina shall be and remain the same as the line run by Fry and Jefferson, and afterwards extended by Walker and Smith and approved on December 7, 1791, by an act of the General Assembly.
Code 1950, § 7-3; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-4; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3.1 - Boundaries of the Commonwealth › § 1-305. Boundary with North Carolina eastward from low-water mark of Atlantic Ocean

The boundary line between the Commonwealth and North Carolina eastward from the low-water mark of the Atlantic Ocean shall be and remains the line beginning at the intersection with the low-water mark of the Atlantic Ocean and the existing North Carolina-Virginia boundary line; thence due east to the seaward jurisdictional limit of Virginia; such boundary line to be extended on the true 90 degree bearing as far as a need for further delimitation may arise.
1970, c. 343, § 7.1-4.1; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3.1 - Boundaries of the Commonwealth › § 1-306. Boundary with Tennessee

The boundary line between the Commonwealth and Tennessee shall be and remain the same as established by the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Tennessee v. Virginia, 190 U.S. 64 (1903), and the compact between the Commonwealth and Tennessee approved on February 9, 1901, by an act of the General Assembly.
Code 1950, § 7-4; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-5; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3.1 - Boundaries of the Commonwealth › § 1-307. Compact and boundary with Kentucky

A. Except such part as may constitute the boundary line between West Virginia and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the boundary between this Commonwealth and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, shall be and remain as the line approved on January 13, 1800, by an act of the General Assembly.
B. The articles set forth in the act of separation of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from this Commonwealth adopted by the General Assembly on December 18, 1789, shall be and remain a solemn compact mutually binding on the Commonwealths of Virginia and Kentucky, and unalterable by either without the consent of the other.
Code 1950, § 7-5; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-6; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3.1 - Boundaries of the Commonwealth › § 1-308. Boundary with Maryland

The Black-Jenkins Award, which established the boundary line between the Commonwealth and Maryland and was ratified on March 14, 1878, by an act of the General Assembly shall be and remain obligatory on this Commonwealth and the citizens thereof, and shall be forever observed and kept by the Commonwealth and all of its citizens according to the true intent and meaning of the same, and to that end the faith of the Commonwealth stands pledged.
Code 1950, § 7-6; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-7; 2005, c. 839.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 1 - General Provisions › Chapter 3.1 - Boundaries of the Commonwealth › § 1-309. Boundary with Maryland eastward from Assateague Island

The boundary line between the Commonwealth and Maryland eastward from Assateague Island shall be and remain as follows: Beginning at a point on the Maryland-Virginia line located on Assateague Island designated as station "Pope Island Life Saving Station (1907)" defined by latitude 38°01'36.93" and longitude 75 degrees14'47.105"; thence running N 84°05'43.5" E (true) - 1,100.00 feet to station "Atlantic"; thence due east (true) to the Maryland-Virginia jurisdictional limit.
1970, c. 342, § 7.1-7.1; 2005, c. 839.