reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 75 - Land Bank Entities Act › § 15.2-7509. Financing of operations

A. A land bank entity may receive funding through grants and loans from the locality or localities that created or are currently participating in the land bank entity, the Commonwealth, the federal government, and other public and private sources.
B. A land bank entity may receive and retain payments for (i) services rendered, (ii) rents and lease payments received, (iii) consideration for disposition of real and personal property, (iv) proceeds of insurance coverage for losses incurred, (v) income from investments, and (vi) any other asset and activity lawfully permitted to a land bank entity under the Act.
C. Up to 50 percent of the real property taxes collected on real property conveyed by a land bank entity may be remitted to the land bank entity. Such allocation of property tax revenues shall commence with the first taxable year following the date of conveyance and continue for a period of up to 10 years.
2016, cc. 159, 383.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 75 - Land Bank Entities Act › § 15.2-7510. Exemption from taxes or assessments

The land bank entity is hereby declared to be performing a public function on behalf of the locality with respect to which the land bank entity is created and to be a public instrumentality of such locality. Accordingly, the land bank entity shall not be required to pay any taxes upon any property acquired or used by the land bank entity under the provisions of the Act.
2016, cc. 159, 383.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 75 - Land Bank Entities Act › § 15.2-7511. Dissolution of land bank entity

A. A land bank entity may be dissolved 60 calendar days after an affirmative resolution is approved by two-thirds of the membership of the board. Sixty calendar days' advance written notice of consideration of a resolution of dissolution shall be (i) given to all governing bodies that created or are currently participating in the land bank entity, (ii) published in a local newspaper of general circulation, and (iii) sent by certified mail to the trustee of any outstanding bonds of the land bank entity. Upon dissolution of the land bank entity, all real property, personal property, and other assets of the land bank entity shall become the assets of the locality or localities that created the land bank entity. In the event that two or more localities create or are participating in a land bank entity, the withdrawal of one or more participating localities shall not result in the dissolution of the land bank entity unless the intergovernmental agreement so provides and no participating locality desires to continue the existence of the land bank entity.
B. No land bank entity shall be dissolved unless all obligations and debts of such land bank entity have been lawfully satisfied or otherwise provided for.
2016, cc. 159, 383.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 75 - Land Bank Entities Act › § 15.2-7512. Designation of planning district commission or existing nonprofit entities to carry out the functions of a land bank entity

A. Subject to a public hearing held pursuant to § 15.2-7502, a locality may by ordinance designate a planning district commission or an existing nonprofit entity and its governing board to carry out the functions of a land bank entity. The ordinance shall include a finding by the locality that the governance structure, articles of incorporation, charters, bylaws, and other corporate documents are sufficient to authorize the designated existing nonprofit entity to carry out the provisions of the Act.
B. A planning district commission or an existing nonprofit entity designated pursuant to this section shall not be required to comply with the provisions of § 15.2-7503.
2016, cc. 159, 383; 2020, c. 147.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 76 - Rural Coastal Virginia Community Enhancement Authority › § 15.2-7600. Authority created; name

The Rural Coastal Virginia Community Enhancement Authority, hereinafter referred to as the Authority, is created as a body politic and corporate, a political subdivision of the Commonwealth. As such it shall have, and is hereby vested with, the powers and duties hereinafter conferred in this chapter. The Authority, if approved by the respective governing bodies, may consist of up to 12 of the counties within the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and Accomack-Northampton planning districts as follows: Accomack, Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northampton, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland.
2017, c. 388.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 76 - Rural Coastal Virginia Community Enhancement Authority › § 15.2-7602. Board of Authority; members and officers; staff; annual report

A. All powers, rights, and duties conferred by this chapter, or other provisions of law, upon the Authority shall be exercised by the Board of the Rural Coastal Virginia Community Enhancement Authority, hereinafter referred to as the Board or the Board of the Authority. Initial appointments shall begin July 1, 2017. The Board shall consist of up to 15 members as follows: one member of each of the 12 counties' governing bodies if so appointed by the respective governing bodies and three at-large members, who shall be appointed by the Governor and who shall be residents of the coastal region. In addition, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade or his designee shall serve as a nonvoting ex officio member of the Board. All members shall serve for a term of four years and may be reappointed for one additional term. A position shall be considered vacant if a member's term of office has ended. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointee. For the initial appointments only, approximately half of the members appointed by the governing bodies shall be appointed for two-year terms, and such initial terms shall not be counted toward the term limitation.
B. Each member of the Board shall, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of his office, take and subscribe to the oath prescribed in § 49-1. Members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
C. A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of a majority present shall be necessary for any action taken by the Board. No vacancy in the membership of the Board shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the Board.
D. The Board shall elect from its membership a chairman and a vice-chairman for each calendar year.
E. Staffing and support for the Authority shall be provided by the counties and the planning district commissions that make up the Authority. Additional staff support may be hired or contracted for by the Authority through funds raised by or provided to it. The Authority is authorized to determine the duties of such staff and fix staff compensation within available resources.
F. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall cooperate with the Authority and, upon request, shall assist the Authority in fulfilling its purposes and mission. The Secretary of Commerce and Trade or his designee shall act as the chief liaison between the administrative agencies and the Authority.
G. The Board, promptly following the close of the fiscal year, shall submit an annual report of the Authority's activities for the preceding year to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the board of supervisors of each member county. Each such report shall set forth a complete operating and financial statement covering the operation of the Authority during such year.
2017, c. 388.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 76 - Rural Coastal Virginia Community Enhancement Authority › § 15.2-7603. Powers of Authority

The Authority acting through its Board:
1. Is vested with the powers of a body corporate, including the power to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, make contracts, and adopt and use a common seal and alter the same as may be deemed expedient;
2. May retain legal counsel to represent the Authority in hearings, controversies, or matters involving the interests of the Authority and the furtherance of its purposes; and
3. May adopt, alter, or repeal its own bylaws and regulations that govern the manner in which its business may be transacted and may provide for the appointment of such committees, and the functions thereof, as the Authority deems necessary to facilitate its business. Each committee shall consist of the number of persons as the Authority deems advisable.
2017, c. 388.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 76 - Rural Coastal Virginia Community Enhancement Authority › § 15.2-7604. Further powers

A. 1. The Authority may seek and approve loans and solicit donations, grants, and any other funding from the Commonwealth, the federal government, and regional, local government, and private entities to carry out its purposes, powers, and duties;
2. The Authority will assist the region in obtaining necessary job training or employment-related education, leadership and civic development, and business development, especially entrepreneurship for the coastal region;
3. The Authority will provide special assistance to distressed and underdeveloped counties within the coastal region; and
4. The Authority will fund demonstration projects, and conduct research, evaluations, and assessments of the coastal region's assets and needs.
B. Agencies of the Commonwealth shall review grant program eligibility requirements, and amend such requirements as appropriate, for purposes of recognizing the unique socioeconomic and demographic challenges faced by rural coastal localities and the inability to qualify for financial assistance.
2017, c. 388.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 76 - Rural Coastal Virginia Community Enhancement Authority › § 15.2-7605. Duties of Authority; governmental functions

A. The Authority shall (i) develop comprehensive and coordinated plans and programs, establish priorities, and approve grants for the economic development of the coastal region; (ii) provide for research, demonstration, investigation, assessment, and evaluation of the region's assets and needs; (iii) encourage the formation and capacity of local government and private investment in compatible industries, including natural resources, commercial, industrial, and other economic development projects; and (iv) provide a forum for the consideration of problems and possible solutions of the coastal region.
B. The Authority shall (i) develop a definition for what constitutes "distressed" and annually designate distressed, moderately distressed, and economically strong counties within the region and (ii) allocate at least 50 percent of the grants, loans, and donations made available to the Authority for programs and projects for the distressed counties. Such funds shall not be used within economically strong counties without a two-thirds vote of approval by a quorum of the Board. Nothing herein shall prevent the Authority from applying for and receiving federal, state, or private funds to advance the purpose of the Authority regardless of distressed county status.
2017, c. 388.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 76 - Rural Coastal Virginia Community Enhancement Authority › § 15.2-7606. Duties of planning districts within the coastal region

Each member planning district commission of the Authority shall approve annually a development plan for its area within the coastal region. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) plans shall satisfy this requirement if updated and reaffirmed annually by the planning district commission.
The development plan shall outline factors to be considered by the Authority in considering programs and projects for assistance under this chapter and in establishing priorities among assistance requests.
The Authority shall use the plans developed by the planning district commissions to guide the development of a work program for the Authority.
2017, c. 388.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 76 - Rural Coastal Virginia Community Enhancement Authority › § 15.2-7607. Dissolution of Authority

Each member locality of the Authority may withdraw from the Authority only upon dissolution of the Authority as set forth herein. Whenever the Board determines that the purpose for which the Authority was created has been substantially fulfilled or is impractical or impossible to accomplish and that all obligations incurred by the Authority have been paid or that cash or a sufficient amount of United States government securities has been deposited for their payment, or provisions satisfactory for the timely payment of all its outstanding obligations have been arranged, the Board may adopt resolutions declaring and finding that the Authority shall be dissolved. Appropriate attested copies of such resolutions shall be delivered to the Governor so that legislation dissolving the Authority may be introduced in the General Assembly. The dissolution of the Authority shall become effective according to the terms of such legislation. The title to all funds and other property owned by the Authority at the time of such dissolution shall vest in the counties that have contributed to the Authority's resources in proportion to their respective contributions.
2017, c. 388.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.1. Repealing clause

All acts and parts of acts, all sections of this Code, and all provisions of municipal charters, inconsistent with the provisions of this title, as amended, are, except as herein otherwise provided, repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.2. Effect of repeal of Title 16 and amendment of Title 16.1

The repeal of Title 16 effective as of July 1, 1956, and amendment of Title 16.1 effective as of July 1, 1973, shall not affect any act or offense done or committed, or any penalty or forfeiture incurred, or any right established, accrued or accruing on or before such day, or any prosecution, suit or action pending on that day. Every such pending prosecution, suit and action shall be proceeded in, tried and determined in the same court, or in the court which succeeds to or has its jurisdiction, and any further action taken therein shall be valid and effective for all purposes, whether taken by the court in its present or former name or by the judge thereof under his present or former judicial title. All further proceedings therein shall conform, as far as practicable, to the provisions of Title 16.1, as amended.
1956, c. 555; 1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.3. Certain notices, recognizances and processes validated

Any notice given, recognizance taken, or process or writ issued before July 1, 1973, shall be valid although given, taken or to be returned to a day after such date, or to a court established by this title or the clerk's office thereof, in like manner as if this title, as amended, had been effective before the same was given, taken or issued.
1956, c. 555; 1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.4. References to former sections, articles or chapters of Title 16 or Title 16.1 as amended

Whenever in this title any of the conditions, requirements, provisions or contents of any section, article or chapter of Title 16, as such title existed prior to July 1, 1956, or Title 16.1, as such title existed prior to July 1, 1973, are transferred in the same or in modified form to a new section, article or chapter, and whenever such former section, article or chapter is given a new number in this title, all references to any such former section, article or chapter of Title 16 or Title 16.1 appearing elsewhere in this Code other than in this title shall be construed to apply to the new or renumbered section, article or chapter containing such conditions, requirements, provisions or contents or portions thereof.
1956, c. 555; 1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.5. Meaning of certain terms

Unless the context should otherwise require, the terms set out in this section shall be construed as follows:
(a) "Courts not of record" shall mean all courts in the Commonwealth below the jurisdictional level of the circuit courts including general district courts and juvenile and domestic relations district courts;
(b) "General district courts" shall mean all courts not of record, except juvenile and domestic relations district courts in counties and cities heretofore designated as county and municipal courts;
(c) "Juvenile and domestic relations district courts" shall mean all courts in counties and cities heretofore designated as juvenile and domestic relations courts or regional juvenile and domestic relations courts;
(d) "District courts" shall mean general district courts and juvenile and domestic relations district courts;
(e) "County courts" and "municipal courts" shall be deemed to refer to general district courts;
(f) "Juvenile and domestic relations courts" and "regional juvenile and domestic relations courts" shall be deemed to refer to juvenile and domestic relations district courts; and
(g) "Chief judge" shall mean that judge so designated for a term to assume primary administrative responsibility for the general district courts or the juvenile and domestic relations district courts in the district served by such judge.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1975, c. 334.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.6:1. Number of judges

For the several judicial districts there shall be full-time general district court judges and juvenile and domestic relations district court judges, the maximum number as hereinafter set forth, who shall during their service reside within their respective districts, except as provided in § 16.1-69.16, and whose compensation and powers shall be the same as now and hereafter prescribed for general district court judges and juvenile and domestic relations district court judges.
The maximum number of judges of the districts shall be as follows:
General District Court Judges
Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judges
First
4
4
Second
7
6
Two-A
2
1
Third
2
3
Fourth
6
5
Fifth
3
2
Sixth
5
3
Seventh
4
4
Eighth
3
3
Ninth
3
4
Tenth
3
3
Eleventh
3
3
Twelfth
5
6
Thirteenth
6
5
Fourteenth
5
5
Fifteenth
8
9
Sixteenth
4
6
Seventeenth
3
2
Eighteenth
2
2
Nineteenth
12
8
Twentieth
4
3
Twenty-first
2
2
Twenty-second
3
4
Twenty-third
4
5
Twenty-fourth
3
6
Twenty-fifth
4
5
Twenty-sixth
5
7
Twenty-seventh
5
5
Twenty-eighth
3
3
Twenty-ninth
2
3
Thirtieth
2
3
Thirty-first
5
5
The election or appointment of any district judge shall be subject to the provisions of § 16.1-69.9:3.
1974, c. 1; 1975, c. 41; 1976, c. 56; 1977, c. 5; 1978, c. 2; 1979, c. 7; 1980, c. 93; 1981, c. 26; 1982, c. 4; 1983, c. 1; 1985, c. 44; 1986, c. 75; 1987, c. 16; 1988, c. 22; 1989, c. 44; 1990, c. 112; 1992, c. 91; 1993, cc. 8, 31; 1994, c. 89; 1994, 1st Sp. Sess., cc. 3, 7; 1995, c. 20; 1996, c. 121; 1997, c. 16; 1998, c. 2; 1999, c. 11; 2000, c. 43; 2001, c. 16; 2004, Sp. Sess. I, c. 4; 2005, cc. 189, 228, 951; 2006, cc. 34, 488; 2006, Sp. Sess. I, c. 2; 2014, cc. 812, 822; 2016, c. 728; 2018, cc. 126, 135; 2020, cc. 343, 586; 2023, cc. 72, 73.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.7. District courts

On and after July 1, 1973, in every county and city there shall be one court which shall be called the "________________ (Name of County or City) General District Court" and one court which shall be called the "________________ (Name of County or City) Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court," and for each such court there shall be one or more judges who shall be called the judge of such general district court or juvenile and domestic relations district court as appropriate. Unless the General Assembly specifically so provides to the contrary, however, no general district court shall be established in any city in which there is no municipal court with general civil or criminal jurisdiction in operation prior to July 1, 1973, and jurisdiction previously exercised in such city by a county court shall be vested in the general district court of such county.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.7:1. Establishment of certain district courts

A. On and after July 1, 1973, there shall be established in the City of Galax, one general district court and one juvenile and domestic relations district court and for each such court there shall be one or more judges who shall be appointed and serve in accordance with Chapter 4.1 (§ 16.1-69.1 et seq.) of Title 16.1. Such courts shall possess all the jurisdiction and exercise all the powers and authority in cases therein granted to district courts according to general law, within the territory which they serve.
B. Each such judge shall cause to be collected such costs and fees as allowed by law for services performed by judges, clerks, or employees of the district courts. All fines and fees collected shall be accounted for according to general law and city ordinances and paid into the treasury of the city or to the State, whichever may be entitled thereto, pursuant to § 16.1-69.48.
1976, c. 319.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.8. Existing courts continued and redesignated; exception

The present system of courts not of record is continued as follows on and after July 1, 1973:
(a) The county court in each county shall continue as the general district court of such county with the same powers and with territorial jurisdiction over such county and over any city within the county for which a municipal court with general civil or criminal jurisdiction or separate general district court has not been established.
(b) The municipal court or courts in each city, excluding juvenile and domestic relations courts, shall continue as the general district court of the city with the same powers and territorial jurisdiction over such city; provided that in the case of more than one such municipal court in operation in any city, all such courts shall be merged on July 1, 1973, and their powers and territorial jurisdiction merged in the general district court.
(c) The juvenile and domestic relations court of each county and city shall continue as the juvenile and domestic relations district court of the county or city with the same powers and territorial jurisdiction as heretofore provided.
(d) The municipal court of any town and/or other court of any town having general civil and criminal jurisdiction however called shall be abolished and all jurisdiction and power conferred upon any such court shall pass to and be exercised by the district courts having jurisdiction over the county wherein the town is located.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 2018, c. 164.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.9. Judges in office continued; terms of judges; how elected or appointed

Every judge or justice and every associate, assistant and substitute judge or justice of a court not of record in office January 1, 1973, shall continue in office as a judge or substitute judge of such court under its designation as a general district court or juvenile and domestic relations district court until the expiration of the term for which he was appointed or elected, or until a vacancy shall occur in his office or until a successor shall be appointed or elected, whichever is the latter.
Upon the expiration of such terms, or when a vacancy occurs, successors shall be elected only as authorized pursuant to §§ 16.1-69.10 and 16.1-69.14 and for the term and in the manner following:
1. With respect to terms expiring on or after July 1, 1980, successors to judges shall be elected for a term of six years by the General Assembly as provided in subdivision 2.
Any vacancy in the office of any full-time district court judge shall be filled for a full term of six years in the manner prescribed herein; provided that such vacancy shall not be filled except as provided in § 16.1-69.9:3.
2. Full-time district court judges shall be elected by the majority of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly. No person shall be elected or reelected to a subsequent term under this section until he has submitted to a criminal history record search and submitted to a search of the central registry maintained pursuant to § 63.2-1515 for any founded complaint of child abuse or neglect and reports of such searches have been received by the chairmen of the House Committee for Courts of Justice and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. If the person has not met the requirement of filing in the preceding calendar year a disclosure form prescribed in § 2.2-3117 or 30-111, he shall also provide a written statement of economic interests on the disclosure form prescribed in § 2.2-3117 to the chairmen of the House Committee for Courts of Justice and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. The judges of the circuit court having jurisdiction over the district may nominate a panel of no more than three persons for each judgeship within the district who are deemed qualified to hold the office. The General Assembly may consider such nominations in electing a judge to fill the office but may elect a person not on such panel to fill the office. Nominations shall be forwarded to the clerks of both houses of the General Assembly on or before December 15.
3. No person with a criminal conviction for a felony shall be appointed as a substitute judge.
If an appointment is to be made by two or more judges and there is a tie vote, then the senior judge of the circuit court having jurisdiction in the district shall make the appointment.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1975, c. 5; 1976, c. 374; 1977, c. 536; 1980, c. 194; 2004, c. 452; 2018, c. 578.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.9:1. Appointment, terms, etc., of substitute judges

A. Substitute judges shall be appointed by the chief judge of the circuit court having jurisdiction within the district for a term of six years.
B. Each substitute judge shall be appointed to serve every general district court and every juvenile and domestic relations district court within the judicial district for which the appointment is made.
C. No person shall be appointed under this section until he has submitted his fingerprints to be used for the conduct of a national criminal records search and a Virginia criminal history records search, submitted to a search of the central registry maintained pursuant to § 63.2-1515 for any founded complaint of child abuse or neglect, and provided a written statement of economic interests on the disclosure form prescribed in § 2.2-3117. No person with a criminal conviction for a felony shall be appointed as a substitute judge.
1973, c. 546; 1975, c. 334; 2004, c. 452; 2018, c. 578.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.9:2. Vacancies in office of judges; terms of successor judges; appointment while General Assembly not in session

Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of a full-time district court judge the successor shall be elected for a full term of six years and upon qualification shall enter at once upon the discharge of the duties of his office. But subject to the provisions of § 16.1-69.9:3, the judges of the circuit having jurisdiction over the district shall have the power while the General Assembly is not in session to fill pro tempore vacancies in the office of full-time district court judges. Appointment to every such vacancy shall be by commission to expire at the end of thirty days after the commencement of the next session of the General Assembly.
1973, c. 546; 1980, c. 194; 2001, c. 256.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.9:3. Investigation and certification of necessity before vacancies filled

When a vacancy occurs in the office of any judge of any district, the vacancy shall not be filled until, after investigation, the Committee on District Courts certifies that the filling of the vacancy is necessary. The Committee shall publish notice of such certification in a publication of general circulation among attorneys licensed to practice in the Commonwealth. No notice of retirement submitted under § 51.1-305 or § 51.1-307 shall be revoked after certification of the vacancy by the Committee. If the Committee certifies that the filling of the vacancy is not necessary, it shall direct the manner of distributing the work created by the vacancy, and the vacancy shall not be filled if not certified as necessary.
1973, c. 546; 1975, c. 101; 1999, c. 319; 2004, c. 331.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.9:4. Same; election of successor judges

Whenever a vacancy occurs or exists in the office of a full-time district judge while the General Assembly is in session, or whenever the term of a full-time judge of a district court will expire or the office will be vacated at a date certain between the adjournment of the General Assembly and the commencement of the next session of the General Assembly, a successor judge may be elected at any time during a session preceding the date of such vacancy, by the vote of a majority of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly, for a full term of six years and, upon qualification, the successor judge shall enter at once upon the discharge of the duties of his office. However, such successor judge shall not enter upon the discharge of his duties prior to the commencement of his term of office. No person shall be elected or reelected to a subsequent term under this section until he has submitted to a criminal history record search and submitted to a search of the central registry maintained pursuant to § 63.2-1515 for any founded complaint of child abuse or neglect and reports of such searches have been received by the chairmen of the House Committee for Courts of Justice and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. If the person has not met the requirement of filing in the preceding calendar year a disclosure form prescribed in § 2.2-3117 or 30-111, he shall also provide a written statement of economic interests on the disclosure form prescribed in § 2.2-3117 to the chairmen of the House Committee for Courts of Justice and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
1973, c. 546; 1993, c. 368; 2004, c. 452; 2018, c. 578.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.10. Number of judges

The number of general district court judges and juvenile and domestic relations district court judges, excluding substitute judges, shall be determined as follows:
(a) Judges in office on January 1, 1973, shall be permitted to complete their terms pursuant to § 16.1-69.9;
(b) [Repealed.]
(c) On and after January 1, 1974, the number of judges authorized in each district shall be determined by the General Assembly based on the requirement that all judges whose terms commence on and after July 1, 1980, serve on a full-time basis; and
(d) On and after July 1, 1980, the number of judges authorized in each district by the General Assembly shall be based on the requirement that no district judge whose term commences on or after July 1, 1980, shall be elected to serve in more than one district or to serve both a general district court and juvenile and domestic relations district court in any district; provided, however, that a judge may serve more than one general district court or more than one juvenile and domestic relations district court in one district. The Committee on District Courts shall make a study and report to the General Assembly on or before December 1 of each year on the number of judges needed and the districts for which they should be authorized. If the Committee recommends the creation of an additional judgeship in any district, it shall publish notice of such recommendation in a publication of general circulation among attorneys licensed to practice in the Commonwealth.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1980, c. 194; 1999, c. 319.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.11. Chief judges; judges; substitute judges

Judges of the district courts shall be designated as follows:
(a) In each district there shall be one chief general district judge and one chief juvenile and domestic relations district judge who shall serve as such for a term of two years commencing July 1 of the even-numbered years. The chief district judges shall be designated by judges of the district court having jurisdiction in the district. If the designation is to be made by more than one judge and there is a tie vote, then the chief circuit judge having jurisdiction in the district shall make the designation. The incumbent chief judge shall call for an election at the conclusion of the term as chief judge and shall report the results of such election forthwith to the office of the Executive Secretary. The incumbent chief judge may succeed himself;
(b) Each judge, except substitute judges, shall be designated either general district court judge or juvenile and domestic relations district court judge depending on the court he is so designated to serve; the terms "associate judge" and "assistant judge" shall no longer be applicable and wherever such terms appear in the Code of Virginia they shall be deemed to refer to either general district court judges or juvenile and domestic relations court judges as appropriate;
(c) Substitute judges shall continue to be designated as such.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1975, c. 334; 1976, c. 374.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.11:1. Acting chief judge

If the chief judge of a district court is unable to perform the duties required by law, the chief judge shall notify the other judges of such district court, or if the chief judge is unable to notify the other judges, the judge longest in continuous service who is available shall provide such notice, and the judge longest in continuous service who is available shall be the acting chief judge, and perform such duties during the chief judge's absence. If two or more judges of such district court have served for the same period, the judge most senior in years shall be the acting chief judge. Upon assuming such duties, the acting chief judge shall immediately notify the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court and the other judges of such district court.
When the chief judge is able to resume the duties of chief judge, the chief judge shall immediately notify the Executive Secretary and the other judges of such district court, and thereupon shall resume such duties.
2010, cc. 560, 596.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.12. Limitations on practice of law by judges

(a) A general district court judge or juvenile and domestic relations district court judge elected as a full-time judge for a term commencing on or after July 1, 1980, shall be prohibited from engaging in the practice of law.
(b) [Repealed.]
(c) Substitute judges shall not appear as counsel in any civil or criminal case arising out of the circumstances which were involved in any other case brought before them.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1980, c. 194.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.14. Number of substitute judges

The number of substitute judges shall be determined as follows:
(a) Substitute judges in office on June 30, 1975, shall be permitted to complete their terms;
(b) Subject to the expiration of such terms, the Committee on District Courts shall determine the number of substitute judges for each district which shall be necessary for the effective administration of justice. In determining the total number of substitute judges authorized for each district, the Committee shall consider, among other factors, the number of full-time and part-time judges serving the district.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1975, c. 334.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.15. Qualifications of judges

On and after July 1, 1973, every full-time judge and substitute judge of a district court shall be at the time of his appointment or election a person licensed to practice law in this Commonwealth.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.16. Residence requirements

A. Every judge or substitute judge of a district court shall, during his term of office, reside within the boundaries of the district in which he serves as set out in § 16.1-69.6; provided, that judges and substitute judges in office on January 1, 1977, or who are otherwise eligible may continue in office and shall be eligible for reappointment or reelection to successive terms in accordance with the provisions of § 16.1-69.10.
B. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the residency requirement set out herein shall not apply to any judge whose residence prior to July 1, 1977, is outside the boundaries of a new district created by § 16.1-69.6, if such judge is a resident in the geographical area which encompassed the prior district. This provision shall also apply to any subsequent term for which he is elected.
C. When the boundary of a judicial district is changed to create a new judicial district, any duly elected or appointed judge of the existing judicial district may continue to serve as judge of the new judicial district if he resides therein.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1977, c. 25; 1991, c. 403.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.17. Oath of office of judges, clerks and others

Every judge, substitute judge, clerk, deputy clerk, and juvenile and domestic relations probation officer of a juvenile and domestic relations district court shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, take the oath required by law. The oath of the judge and substitute judge shall be taken before a clerk of a court of record to which appeals from his court lie or any judge, and the oath of the clerk and other officers of the court shall be taken before the judge of the court he serves. Any oath taken before a judge or clerk prior to July 1, 1992, and otherwise conforming with this section is valid.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1992, c. 390; 1992, Sp. Sess., cc. 1, 2.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.17:1. Time within which a judge may qualify; failure to do so vacates office

Any district court judge of this Commonwealth may qualify at any time after receiving his commission and before the expiration of thirty days after the commencement of his term of office; but if he fails to receive his commission until after the commencement of his term of office, he may qualify within thirty days from the date of receiving such commission. If a judge fails to qualify as above provided, his office shall be deemed to be vacant.
1976, c. 374.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.18. Bonds of judges, clerks, and others handling funds

Before entering upon the performance of his duties every judge, substitute judge, clerk, deputy clerk or other officer or employee of a district court shall enter into bond before the clerk of a circuit court to which appeals from his court lie, except as hereinafter provided. The bond shall be in a penalty and with corporate surety approved by the judge of such appellate court. No such bond shall be in a penalty of less than $3,000, nor more than $75,000, and all such bonds shall be conditioned for the faithful performance of the duties of the principal. The bonds shall be made payable to the Commonwealth and shall be filed with the clerk of such appellate court. Provided, however, that instead of specific bonds being given as stipulated herein, the Committee on District Courts may in their discretion procure faithful performance of duty blanket bonds for any or all of the districts enumerated in § 16.1-69.6 covering the judges, substitute judges, clerks and other personnel of the several district courts included in such districts and within the penalty limits contained in this section, unless in the discretion of the Committee, bonds with a larger maximum penalty should be obtained. Provided further, that in those instances where specific bonds for judges, clerks, deputy clerks or other officers or employees of a district court are in effect, the Committee on District Courts may, whenever they deem it advisable, terminate such specific bonds upon obtaining a blanket bond covering such court personnel with appropriate refund or credit being made for the unearned premiums on the specific bonds being terminated. A copy of any such blanket bond so procured shall be filed with the Division of Risk Management within the Department of Treasury and with the clerk of the respective circuit courts to which appeals from the decisions of the several district courts may lie. The premiums for such bonds shall be paid by the Commonwealth.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1974, c. 3; 1975, c. 334; 2002, c. 406.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.19. Incompatible offices

No person shall at the same time hold the office of judge or substitute judge of a district court and the office of magistrate, clerk of a court, sheriff, treasurer, or commissioner of the revenue, or deputy of either of them. A full-time district court judge may not serve as a commissioner of accounts, commissioner in chancery or a marriage celebrant appointed by the circuit court pursuant to § 20-25, nor shall such judge, during his continuance in office, seek or accept any nonjudicial elective office, or hold any other office of public trust or engage in any other incompatible activity. If any judge of a district court shall accept any office for which he is ineligible under this section, such acceptance shall vacate his office as judge of such court.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1976, c. 374; 1993, c. 312.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.21. When substitute to serve; his powers and duties

In the event of the inability of the judge to perform the duties of his office or any of them by reason of sickness, absence, vacation, interest in the proceeding or parties before the court, or otherwise, such judge or a person acting on his behalf shall promptly notify the appropriate chief district judge of such inability. If the chief district judge determines that the provisions of § 16.1-69.35 have been complied with or cannot reasonably be done within the time permitted and that no other full-time or retired judge is reasonably available to serve, the chief district judge may direct a substitute judge to serve as a judge of the court, which substitute may serve concurrently with one or more of the judges of the court or alone. When reasonably necessary, the chief district judge may designate a substitute judge from another district within the Commonwealth. The committee on district courts may adopt policies and procedures governing the utilization of substitute judges. In such event, those policies and procedures will, where applicable, control. While acting as judge, a substitute judge shall perform the same duties, exercise the same power and authority, and be subject to the same obligations as prescribed herein for the judge. A substitute judge shall retain the power to enter a final order in any case heard by such substitute judge for a period of 14 days after the date of a hearing of such case. While serving as judge of the court, the judge or the substitute judge may perform all acts with respect to the proceedings, judgments and acts of any other judge in connection with any action or proceeding then pending or theretofore disposed of in the court except as otherwise provided in this chapter in the same manner and with the same force and effect as if they were his own.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1983, c. 128; 1984, c. 570; 2017, c. 650; 2020, c. 118.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.22. Removal of judges and substitute judges

Any judge or substitute judge of a district court may be removed from office in the manner and for any of the causes prescribed in Chapter 9 (§ 17.1-900 et seq.) of Title 17.1; provided, that substitute judges may be removed from office under the provisions of §§ 24.2-230 through 24.2-238.
1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record › Chapter 4.1 - District Courts › § 16.1-69.22:1. Temporary recall of retired district court judges; evaluation

A. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may call upon any judge of a district court who is retired under the Judicial Retirement System (§ 51.1-300 et seq.) and who has been found qualified within the preceding three years by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee for Courts of Justice to (i) hear a specific case or cases pursuant to the provisions of § 16.1-69.35 with such designation to continue in effect for the duration of the case or cases or (ii) perform, for a period not to exceed 90 days at any one time, such judicial duties in any district court as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall deem in the public interest for the expeditious disposition of the business of such courts.
B. It shall be the obligation of any retired judge who is recalled to temporary service under this section and who has not attained age 70 to accept the recall and perform the duties assigned. It shall be within the discretion of any judge who has attained age 70 to accept such recall.
C. Any judge recalled to duty under this section shall have all the powers, duties, and privileges attendant on the position he is recalled to serve.
D. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, the Chief Justice may call upon and authorize any judge of a district court whose retirement becomes effective during the interim period between regularly scheduled sessions of the General Assembly to sit in recall either to (i) hear a specific case or cases pursuant to the provisions of § 16.1-69.35, which designation shall continue in effect for the duration of the case or cases, or (ii) perform, for a period of time not to exceed 90 days at any one time, such judicial duties in any district court as the Chief Justice shall deem in the public interest for the expeditious disposition of the business of the courts.
E. All retired district court judges who have requested to sit in recall shall be evaluated during the final year of the three-year period following qualification by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee for Courts of Justice using an evaluation form prepared and distributed by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. An annual report containing the results of such evaluations conducted that year shall be prepared and transmitted to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee for Courts of Justice by the first day of the next regular session of the General Assembly.
1990, c. 832; 2014, c. 776; 2022, c. 532.