reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 30.1 - Virginia Spirits Board › § 3.2-3011. Powers and duties of the Board

The Board shall have the power and duty to:
1. Receive and dispense funds or donations from the Virginia Spirits Promotion Fund;
2. Enter into contracts for the purpose of developing new or improved markets or marketing methods for spirits products;
3. Contract for research services to improve farming practices related to the growing of ingredients necessary for alcohol distillation in Virginia;
4. Enter into agreements with any local, state, or national organization or agency engaged in education for the purpose of disseminating information on spirits projects;
5. Enter into contracts with private or public entities for the purpose of developing marketing, advertising, and other promotional programs designed to promote the orderly growth of Virginia's spirits industry;
6. Rent or purchase office and laboratory space, land, equipment, and supplies as necessary to carry out its duties;
7. Employ such personnel as may be required to carry out those duties conferred by law;
8. Acquire any licenses or permits necessary for the performance of the powers and duties of the Board;
9. Cooperate with other state, regional, national, and international organizations in research, education, and promotion of the growing of ingredients necessary for alcohol production and the production of spirits in the Commonwealth and expend moneys from the Fund for such purposes;
10. Adopt a general statement of policy and procedures;
11. Receive from the chairman of the Board an annual report, including a statement of total receipts and disbursements for the year, and file a copy of such report with the Commissioner; and
12. Submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly by October 1 of each year regarding the Board's activities and use of moneys in the Virginia Spirits Promotion Fund, including statistics regarding the extent to which use of moneys in the Virginia Spirits Promotion Fund has impacted spirits sales in the Commonwealth, which shall be submitted for publication as a report document as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.
2020, cc. 85, 410; 2022, cc. 84, 85.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 30.1 - Virginia Spirits Board › § 3.2-3012. Virginia Spirits Promotion Fund established

A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Spirits Promotion Fund, hereafter referred to as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. The Fund shall consist of all moneys appropriated to it by the General Assembly, moneys received pursuant to § 4.1-235, grants of private or government funds designated for specified activities authorized pursuant to this chapter, fees for services rendered pursuant to this chapter, and payments for products, equipment, or material or other goods supplied. All moneys shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this chapter. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the duly authorized officer of the Board.
B. The Board shall meet and evaluate proposals from applicants for funding from the Fund. The Board's final recommendations shall be made by recorded vote.
C. The Auditor of Public Accounts shall audit all accounts as provided in § 30-133.
2020, cc. 85, 410; 2022, cc. 84, 85.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 30.1 - Virginia Spirits Board › § 3.2-3013. Revenue-producing activities of the Board

To help defray the costs of its program, the Board may (i) publish materials with printed advertisements; (ii) sell printed materials; (iii) rent exhibit space at meetings or other events; (iv) charge entrance or participation fees; and (v) engage in other revenue-producing activities related to research, education, and promotion of the growing of ingredients necessary for alcohol distillation and the production of spirits in Virginia. The Board shall promptly deposit the proceeds of any revenue-producing activities into the Fund. The provisions of Article 3 (§ 2.2-1109 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 2.2 and of Articles 1 (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.), 2 (§ 2.2-4303 et seq.), 3 (§ 2.2-4343 et seq.), and 5 (§ 2.2-4357 et seq.) of Chapter 43 of Title 2.2 shall not apply to contracts for advertising, marketing, or publishing entered into by the Board. The provisions of Articles 4 (§ 2.2-4347 et seq.) and 6 (§ 2.2-4367 et seq.) of Chapter 43 of Title 2.2 shall apply to such contracts.
2020, cc. 85, 410.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 31 - Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission › § 3.2-3100. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Active tobacco producer" means a person actively engaged in planting, growing, harvesting, and marketing of flue-cured or burley tobacco, or who shares in the variable expenses of producing the crop.
"Agreement" means the agreement or agreements between the Commonwealth, as seller of the Tobacco Assets, and the Corporation, as purchaser of the Tobacco Assets. The sale by the Commonwealth of the Tobacco Assets pursuant to any such agreement shall be a true sale and not a borrowing.
"Commission" means the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission created pursuant to § 3.2-3101.
"Commission Allocation" means 50 percent of the annual amount received under the Master Settlement Agreement by the Commonwealth, or that would have been received but for a sale of such allocation pursuant to an agreement, between the commencing and ending dates specified in the agreement.
"Corporation" means the Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation as created under state law.
"Endowment" means the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Endowment established pursuant to § 3.2-3104.
"Fund" means the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Fund established pursuant to § 3.2-3106.
"Master Settlement Agreement" means the settlement agreement and related documents between the Commonwealth and leading United States tobacco product manufacturers dated November 23, 1998, and including the Consent Decree and Final Judgment entered in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond on February 23, 1999, Chancery Number HJ-2241-4.
"Period of sale" means the time during which a purchaser under an agreement is entitled to receive the Commission Allocation.
"Strategic Plan" means the strategic plan required pursuant to subsection C of § 3.2-3103.
"Tobacco Assets" means all right, title, and interest in and to the portion of the Commission Allocation that may be sold to the Corporation.
1999, cc. 880, 962, § 9-380; 2001, cc. 807, 844, § 3.1-1106; 2002, cc. 482, 488; 2008, c. 860; 2015, cc. 399, 433.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 31 - Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission › § 3.2-3101. Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission created; purposes

The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is created as a body corporate and a political subdivision of the Commonwealth and as such shall have, and is vested with, all of the politic and corporate powers as are set forth in this chapter. The Commission is established for the purposes of determining the appropriate recipients of moneys in the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Fund and causing distribution of such moneys for the purposes provided in this chapter, including using moneys in the Fund to: (i) provide payments to tobacco farmers as compensation for the adverse economic effects resulting from loss of investment in specialized tobacco equipment and barns and lost tobacco production opportunities associated with a decline in quota; and (ii) revitalize tobacco dependent communities. The Commission shall have only those powers enumerated in § 3.2-3103.
1999, cc. 880, 962, § 9-381; 2001, c. 844, § 3.1-1107; 2008, c. 860; 2015, cc. 399, 433.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 31 - Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission › § 3.2-3105. Appointment of director; Commission employees; counsel to the Commission

A. The Governor shall appoint an executive director subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. The compensation shall be determined by the Commission, subject to approval by the Governor. The executive director shall serve as the secretary to the Commission and shall administer the affairs and business of the Commission in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and subject to the policies, control, and direction of the Commission. The Commission may employ technical experts and other officers, agents, and employees, permanent and temporary, as it requires, and shall determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation. The Commission may delegate to one or more of its agents or employees the administrative duties it deems proper. The actual expenses incurred in the performance of such duties shall be paid from the Fund.
B. Employees of the Commission shall be treated as state employees for purposes of participation in the Virginia Retirement System, health insurance, and all other employee benefits offered by the Commonwealth to its classified employees. Employees of the Commission shall not be subject to the provisions of Chapter 29 (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.) of Title 2.2.
C. The Office of the Attorney General shall provide counsel to the Commission.
1999, cc. 880, 962, § 9-384; 2001, cc. 807, 844, § 3.1-1110; 2002, cc. 482, 488; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 31 - Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission › § 3.2-3106. Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Fund; tax credits for technology industries in tobacco-dependent localities

A. Money received by the Commonwealth pursuant to the Master Settlement Agreement shall be deposited into the state treasury subject to the special nonreverting funds established by subsection B and by §§ 3.2-3104 and 32.1-360.
B. There is created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Fund. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. Subject to the sale of all or any portion of the Commission Allocation, 50 percent of the annual amount received by the Commonwealth from the Master Settlement Agreement shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. In the event of such sale: (i) the Commission Allocation shall be paid in accordance with the agreement for the period of sale; and (ii) the Fund shall receive the amounts withdrawn from the Endowment in accordance with § 3.2-3104. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes described in this chapter. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written authorization signed by the chairman of the Commission or his designee. The Fund shall also consist of other moneys received by the Commission, from any source, for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this chapter.
C. The obligations of the Commission shall not be a debt or grant or loan of credit of the Commonwealth, and the Commonwealth shall not be liable thereon, nor shall such obligations be payable out of any funds other than those credited to the Fund.
1999, cc. 880, 962, § 9-385; 2000, c. 1042; 2001, cc. 807, 844, § 3.1-1111; 2002, cc. 482, 488; 2004, Sp. Sess. I, c. 1; 2008, c. 860; 2016, c. 305.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 31 - Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission › § 3.2-3108. Distribution of Fund

A. The Fund shall be distributed by the Commission for the following purposes:
1. The stimulation of economic growth and development in tobacco-dependent communities in an equitable manner throughout the Southside and Southwest regions of the Commonwealth, to assist such communities in reducing their dependency on, or finding alternative uses for, tobacco and tobacco-related business; and
2. Scientific research performed at one of the Commonwealth's National Cancer Institute-designated research institutes designed to advance the treatment and prevention of cancers that directly impact the citizens of tobacco-dependent communities throughout the Southside and Southwest regions of the Commonwealth.
B. The Commission may require that as a condition of receiving any grant or loan incentive that is based on employment goals, a recipient company must provide copies of employer quarterly payroll reports provided to the Virginia Employment Commission to verify the employment status of any position included in the employment goal.
The Commission shall require that each project have an accountability matrix. For an economic development program, the matrix shall be based on return on investment, jobs, wages, and capital investment. For a scholarship program, the matrix shall be based on attainment of bachelor's degrees, credentials, or jobs. For a health care program, the matrix shall be based on health care outcomes. For an agriculture or forestry program, the matrix shall be based on jobs, capital investment, amount of Virginia-grown agricultural and forestal products used by the project, projected impact on agricultural and forestal producers, and a return on investment analysis.
The Commission shall require each applicant to provide with its application (i) baseline figures, (ii) explicit and quantified outcome expectations, (iii) the method used to calculate outcome expectations, (iv) details on the timing of the expected outcomes, and (v) a specific link to economic revitalization and the Strategic Plan.
The Commission shall require that as a condition of receiving any grant or loan incentive each project (a) demonstrate how it will address low employment levels, per capita income, educational attainment, or other workforce indicators; (b) be consistent with the Strategic Plan; and (c) receive a written recommendation as to its financial viability and feasibility from the Manager pursuant to subdivision A 9 of § 3.2-3103.
1999, cc. 880, 962, § 9-383; 2001, cc. 807, 844, § 3.1-1112; 2008, c. 860; 2012, c. 629; 2013, c. 547; 2015, cc. 399, 433.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 31 - Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission › § 3.2-3109. Form of accounts; audit

A. The accounts and records of the Commission showing the receipt and disbursement of funds from whatever source derived shall be in such form as the Auditor of Public Accounts prescribes.
B. The accounts of the Commission shall be audited by the Auditor of Public Accounts, or his legally authorized representatives, as determined necessary by the Auditor of Public Accounts. Copies of the audit shall be distributed to the Governor and to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations.
1999, cc. 880, 962, §§ 9-386, 9-387; 2001, c. 844, § 3.1-1113; 2008, c. 860; 2018, cc. 57, 307.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 31 - Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission › § 3.2-3110. Declaration of public purpose; exemption from taxation

A. The exercise of the powers granted by this chapter shall be in all respects for the benefit of the citizens of the Commonwealth and for the promotion of their welfare, convenience, and prosperity.
B. The Commission shall be performing an essential governmental function in the exercise of the powers conferred upon it by this chapter, and the property of the Commission and its income and operations shall be exempt from taxation or assessments upon any property acquired or used by the Commission under the provisions of this chapter.
1999, cc. 880, 962, § 9-389; 2001, c. 844, § 3.1-1114; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 31 - Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission › § 3.2-3111. Confidentiality of information

A. The Commission shall hold in confidence the personal and financial information supplied to it, or maintained by it, concerning tobacco farmers, including names, addresses, and payment information. The Commission may require any tobacco farmer or other applicant for payments from the Fund to provide his social security or taxpayer identification number.
B. Notwithstanding the foregoing, personal and financial information supplied to or maintained by the Commission relating to tobacco farmers may be used, exchanged, and disclosed at the Commission's discretion as may be necessary or appropriate to make payments under, administer, or enforce this chapter and related state and federal laws, any other state or federal tobacco indemnification or loss assistance program, or a national tobacco community trust fund.
C. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the Commission, in its discretion, from releasing any information that has been transformed into a statistical or aggregate form that does not allow the identification of the person who supplied particular information or the sum of money received by a particular recipient.
D. Personal and financial information supplied by or maintained on persons or entities applying for or receiving distributions from the Fund for economic growth and development, as well as specific information relating to the amount and identity of recipients of such distributions, shall be subject to disclosure in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.). The provisions of that Act applicable to records or meetings of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership or other state or local economic development entities shall apply mutatis mutandis to the Commission and the Manager selected pursuant to subdivision A 9 of § 3.2-3103.
E. The provisions of this section shall also apply to any department, agency, institution, political subdivision, or employee of the Commonwealth or a political subdivision that receives personal or financial information from the Commission in order to process checks for payments from the Fund or to assist the Commission with the administration and enforcement of this chapter.
2001, c. 757, § 9-389.1; 2001, c. 844, § 3.1-1114.1; 2008, c. 860; 2015, cc. 399, 433.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 31.1 - Virginia Tobacco Region Revolving Fund › § 3.2-3112. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Authority" means the Virginia Resources Authority created in Chapter 21 (§ 62.1-197 et seq.) of Title 62.1.
"Commission" means the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission created pursuant to § 3.2-3101.
"Cost," as applied to any project financed under the provisions of this chapter, means the total of all costs incurred by the local government as reasonable and necessary for carrying out all works and undertakings necessary or incident to the accomplishment of any project. It includes, without limitation, all necessary developmental, planning, and feasibility studies, surveys, plans, and specifications; architectural, engineering, financial, legal, or other special services; the cost of acquisition of land and any buildings and improvements thereon, including the discharge of any obligations of the sellers of such land, buildings, or improvements; site preparation and development, including demolition or removal of existing structures; construction and reconstruction; labor; materials, machinery, and equipment; the reasonable costs of financing incurred by the local government in the course of the development of the project; carrying charges incurred before the project is placed in service; interest on funds borrowed to finance the project to a date subsequent to the estimated date the project is to be placed in service; necessary expenses incurred in connection with placing the project in service; the funding of accounts and reserves that the Authority may require; and the cost of other items that the Authority determines to be reasonable and necessary.
"Endowment" means the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Endowment as established in § 3.2-3104.
"Equity" means any contribution to a project other than debt financing, including a federal, state, or local grant, except that the grant shall not be a Commission grant.
"Fund" means the Virginia Tobacco Region Revolving Fund created by this chapter.
"Local government" means any county, city, town, municipal corporation, authority, district, commission, or political subdivision created by the General Assembly or pursuant to the Constitution of Virginia or laws of the Commonwealth, or any combination of any two or more of the foregoing, located in any of the tobacco-dependent communities in the Southside and Southwest regions of Virginia.
"Project" means the same as that term is defined in § 62.1-199 and any other proposal recommended for evaluation and disbursement by the Commission and credit approved by the Authority, subject to such conditions and policies as agreed to by the Commission and the Authority. Projects other than those defined in § 62.1-199 shall be eligible to borrow from the Fund only in the event that other funding for the project equal to 25 percent of the total cost of the project is available through equity.
2015, cc. 399, 433; 2017, c. 254.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 31.1 - Virginia Tobacco Region Revolving Fund › § 3.2-3113. Creation and management of Virginia Tobacco Region Revolving Fund

A. There shall be set apart as a permanent and perpetual fund, to be known as the Virginia Tobacco Region Revolving Fund, with a sum of up to $50 million made available from (i) the corpus of the taxable portion of the Endowment paid to the Fund per request from the Commission within the limits imposed pursuant to § 3.2-3104, (ii) sums, if any, appropriated to the Fund by the General Assembly, (iii) all receipts by the Fund from loans made by it to local governments, (iv) all income from the investment of moneys held in the Fund, and (v) any other sums designated for deposit to the Fund from any source public or private, including, without limitation, any federal grants, awards, or other forms of assistance received by the Commonwealth that are eligible for deposit therein under federal law. Transfers from the Endowment to the Fund shall occur as required for loan disbursements.
B. The Authority shall administer and manage the Fund and establish the interest rates and repayment terms of such loans as are provided for by this chapter in accordance with a memorandum of agreement with the Commission. In order to carry out the administration and management of the Fund, the Authority, in consultation with the Commission, is granted the power to employ officers, employees, agents, advisers, and consultants, including, without limitation, attorneys, financial advisers, engineers and other technical advisers, and public accountants, and, the provisions of any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, to determine their duties and compensation without the approval of any other agency or instrumentality. The Authority may disburse from the Fund the reasonable costs and expenses it incurs in the administration and management of the Fund and a reasonable fee to be approved by the Commission for its management services, but the Authority shall not charge its ordinary expenses to the Fund or the Commission. The Department of the Treasury, as the party holding the Endowment, shall be a party to the memorandum of agreement. Under all circumstances, the Commission shall select the projects eligible for the loans.
C. The Commission shall direct the distribution of loans from the Fund to particular local governments. Consistent with this chapter, the Commission shall, after consultation with all interested parties, develop a guidance document governing project eligibility and project priority criteria.
2015, cc. 399, 433.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 31.1 - Virginia Tobacco Region Revolving Fund › § 3.2-3114. Deposit of money; expenditures; investments

A. All money belonging to the Fund shall be deposited in an account or accounts in banks or trust companies organized under the laws of the Commonwealth, national banking associations located in the Commonwealth, or savings institutions located in the Commonwealth and organized under the laws of the Commonwealth or the United States. The money in these accounts shall be paid by check signed by the Executive Director of the Authority or another officer or employee designated by the Board of Directors of the Authority. All deposits of money shall, if required by the Authority, be secured in a manner determined by the Authority to be prudent, and all banks, trust companies, and savings institutions are authorized to give security for the deposits.
B. Money in the Fund shall not be commingled with other money of the Authority. Money in the Fund not needed for immediate use or disbursement may be invested or reinvested by the Authority in obligations or securities that are considered lawful investments for public funds under the laws of the Commonwealth, including the Local Government Investment Pool Act (§ 2.2-4600 et seq.).
2015, cc. 399, 433.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 31.1 - Virginia Tobacco Region Revolving Fund › § 3.2-3115. Collection of money due the Fund

The Authority is empowered to collect, or to authorize others to collect on its behalf, amounts due to the Fund under any loan to a local government, including, if appropriate, by taking the action required by § 15.2-2659 or 62.1-216.1 to obtain payment of any amounts in default. Proceedings to recover amounts due to the Fund may be instituted by the Authority in the name of the Fund in the appropriate circuit court.
2015, cc. 399, 433.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 31.1 - Virginia Tobacco Region Revolving Fund › § 3.2-3117. Pledge of loans to secure bonds of the Authority

A. The Authority is empowered at any time and from time to time to pledge, assign, or transfer from the Fund to banks or trust companies designated by the Authority any or all of the assets of the Fund to be held in trust as security for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any or all of the bonds, as defined in § 62.1-199, issued to finance any project located in the tobacco-dependent communities in the Southside and Southwest regions of Virginia. The interests of the Fund in any assets so transferred shall be subordinate to the rights of the trustee under the pledge, assignment, or transfer.
B. To the extent funds are not available from other sources pledged for such purpose, any of the assets or payments of principal and interest received on the assets pledged, assigned, or transferred or held in trust may be applied by the trustee thereof to the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such bonds of the Authority secured thereby, and, if such payments are insufficient for such purpose, the trustee is empowered to sell any or all of such assets and apply the net proceeds from the sale to the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such bonds of the Authority.
C. Any assets of the Fund pledged, assigned, or transferred in trust as set forth in this section and any payments of principal, interest, or earnings received thereon shall remain part of the Fund but shall be subject to the pledge, assignment, or transfer to secure the bonds of the Authority and shall be held by the trustee to which they are pledged, assigned, or transferred until no longer required for such purpose by the terms of the pledge, assignment, or transfer.
2015, cc. 399, 433.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 31.1 - Virginia Tobacco Region Revolving Fund › § 3.2-3118. Sale of loans

The Authority is empowered at any time and from time to time to sell, upon such terms and conditions as the Authority shall deem appropriate, any loan, or interest therein, made pursuant to this chapter. The net proceeds of sale remaining after the payment of the costs and expenses of the sale shall be designated for deposit to, and become part of, the Fund.
2015, cc. 399, 433.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 31.1 - Virginia Tobacco Region Revolving Fund › § 3.2-3121. Liberal construction of chapter

The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that its beneficial purposes may be effectuated. Insofar as the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with the provisions of any other law, general, special, or local, the provisions of this chapter shall be controlling.
2015, cc. 399, 433.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 32 - Milk Commission › § 3.2-3200. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Affiliate" means any person or subsidiary thereof, who has, either directly or indirectly, actual or legal control over a distributor, whether by stock ownership or in any other manner.
"Books and records" mean books, records, accounts, contracts, memoranda, documents, papers, correspondence, or other data, pertaining to the business of the person in question.
"Commission" means the Milk Commission.
"Consumer" means any person, other than a milk distributor, who purchases milk for human consumption.
"Distributor" means any of the following persons engaged in the business of distributing, marketing, or in any manner handling fluid milk, in whole or in part, in fluid form for consumption in the Commonwealth:
1. Persons, regardless of whether any such person is a producer:
a. Who pasteurize or bottle milk or process milk into fluid milk;
b. Who sell or market fluid milk at wholesale or retail to: (i) hotels, restaurants, stores, or other establishments for consumption on the premises; (ii) stores or other establishments for resale; or (iii) consumers; or
c. Who operate stores or other establishments for the sale of fluid milk at retail for consumption off the premises.
2. Persons, wherever located or operating, whether within or without the Commonwealth, who purchase, market, or handle milk for resale as fluid milk in the Commonwealth.
"Health authorities" include the Board of Health, the Office of Dairy and Foods in the Department, and the local health authorities.
"Licensee" means a licensed milk distributor.
"Market" means any locality, or two or more localities, and surrounding territory designated by the Commission as a marketing area.
"Milk" means the clean lacteal secretion obtained by the complete milking of one or more healthy cows properly fed, housed, and kept; including milk that is cooled, pasteurized, standardized, or otherwise processed with a view to selling.
"Producer" means any person, regardless of whether they are also a distributor, who produces milk for sale as fluid milk in the Commonwealth.
"Producer-distributor" means a distributor who handles only milk produced by himself.
"Sanitary regulations" include all laws and ordinances relating to the production, handling, transportation, distribution, and sale of milk and, so far as applicable, regulations adopted by the Board or the health authorities.
"Subsidiary" means any person that a distributor or an affiliate of a distributor has, or several distributors collectively have, either directly or indirectly, actual or legal control, whether by stock ownership or in any other manner.
Code 1950, § 3-346; 1966, c. 702, § 3.1-425; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 32 - Milk Commission › § 3.2-3201. Milk Commission; composition and appointment of members

The Milk Commission is continued within the Department and shall report directly to the Commissioner. The Commission shall consist of an Administrator and seven members, all of whom shall be residents of the Commonwealth, appointed by the Governor, two of whom shall be producers, and five including the Administrator shall be consumers but none of such five latter members shall have any connection financially or otherwise with the production or distribution of milk or products derived therefrom. The remaining member of the Commission shall be a milk processor-distributor. The Administrator shall serve in an ex officio capacity without a vote. Any vacancies occurring shall be filled by appointment by the Governor. One member of the Commission shall act as chairman, who shall be elected annually by the membership of the Commission. No member shall serve as chairman and as Administrator and no chairman shall serve successive terms as chairman.
The Administrator shall devote full time to the duties of his office, which shall be located in the principal office of the Commission. The technical and other services for such Commission shall be performed, so far as practicable, by the Department, the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, and the Virginia Agricultural Research and Experiment Station, without additional compensation. The Administrator may appoint a secretary and any such additional technical and other assistants and employees as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, and prescribe their powers and duties. The Administrator shall supervise such personnel and shall prepare, approve, and submit all requests for appropriations and be responsible for all expenditures pursuant to appropriations.
Code 1950, § 3-347; 1958, c. 110; 1966, cc. 526, 702, § 3.1-426; 1974, c. 467; 1984, c. 444; 1985, c. 397; 2004, c. 57; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 32 - Milk Commission › § 3.2-3202. Milk Commission membership terms

The Administrator of the Commission shall hold office at the pleasure of the Governor for a term concurrent with the term of the Governor making the appointment or until a successor to that Administrator is appointed by the next succeeding Governor. The remaining seven members shall be appointed by the Governor for a term of four years. No member except the Administrator may serve for more than two consecutive terms of four years each. Any member appointed to fill an interim vacancy may be appointed for two additional consecutive terms of four years each after the expiration of the term of the interim vacancy that the member filled. After an absence of two years from the Commission, any former member may be reappointed for a maximum of one additional term of four years.
Code 1950, § 3-347.1; 1966, c. 526, § 3.1-426.1; 1974, c. 467; 1984, c. 355; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 32 - Milk Commission › § 3.2-3203. Meetings; quorum

The Commission shall meet on the call of the chairman or three of its members whenever he or they may deem necessary, and at such place as he or they may designate. Three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.
Code 1950, §§ 3-347.2, 3-351; 1966, cc. 526, 702, §§ 3.1-426.2, 3.1-429; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 32 - Milk Commission › § 3.2-3204. General powers of the Milk Commission

The Commission shall be vested with the following powers:
1. To confer and cooperate with the legally constituted authorities of other states and of the United States, with a view of securing a uniformity of milk control, with respect to milk coming into the Commonwealth and going out of the Commonwealth in interstate commerce, with a view of accomplishing the purposes of this chapter and to enter into a compact or compacts for such uniform system of milk control;
2. To investigate all matters pertaining to the production, processing, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of milk in the Commonwealth;
3. To supervise, regulate, and control the production, transportation, processing, storage, distribution, delivery, and sale of milk for consumption within the Commonwealth;
4. To act as mediator or arbiter in any controversial issue that may arise among or between milk producers and distributors, as between themselves, or that may arise between them as groups;
5. To examine into the business, books, and accounts of any milk producer, association of producers, or milk distributors, their affiliates or subsidiaries; to issue subpoenas to milk producers, associations of producers, and milk distributors, and to require them to produce their records, books, and accounts; to subpoena any other person from whom information is desired;
6. To take depositions of witnesses within, or without, the Commonwealth. Any member of the Commission, or any employee designated by the Commission, may administer oaths to witnesses and sign and issue subpoenas; and
7. To make, adopt, and enforce all regulations or orders necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. Every order of the Commission shall be posted for inspection in the main office of the Commission, and a certified copy filed in the office of the Commissioner. An order, applying only to a person named therein, shall be served on the person affected. An order, that is required to be served, shall be served by personal delivery of a certified copy, or by mailing a certified copy in a sealed envelope, with postage prepaid, to each person affected; or, in the case of a corporation, to any officer or agent of the corporation upon whom legal process may be served. If an order is not required to be served, then it shall be posted in the main office of the Commission and filed in the office of the Commissioner, which shall constitute due and sufficient notice to any person affected by the order.
Code 1950, § 3-352; 1966, c. 702, § 3.1-430; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 32 - Milk Commission › § 3.2-3205. Grant of specific power not to impair general power

Any provision of this chapter conferring a general power upon the Commission shall not be impaired or qualified by the granting to the Commission by this chapter of a specific power.
Code 1950, § 3-353; 1966, c. 702, § 3.1-431; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 32 - Milk Commission › § 3.2-3206. Public hearing required

A. The Commission shall neither exercise its powers in any market, nor withdraw the exercise of its powers from any market, until after a public hearing is held for such market, and the Commission determines whether it will be in the public interest to exercise its powers in that market.
B. The Commission may on its own motion, call a public hearing as required under subsection A and shall call a public hearing upon the written application of a producers' association organized under Chapter 3 of Title 13.1 (§ 13.1-301 et seq.), supplying in the judgment of the Commission, a substantial proportion of the milk consumed in such market. If no such producers' association exists on such market, the Commission shall call a public hearing upon the written application of producers supplying a substantial proportion of the milk consumed in such market; and shall call a public hearing upon the written application of distributors distributing a substantial proportion of the milk consumed in that market.
C. The Commission may determine notice requirements and the time and location of any public hearing held under this section.
Code 1950, §§ 3-354 to 3-357; 1966, c. 702, §§ 3.1-432 to 3.1-435; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 32 - Milk Commission › § 3.2-3207. Defining market areas

The Commission may define a market area and define and fix the limits of the territorial area where milk shall be produced to supply a market area. Any producers, producer-distributors, or their successors currently shipping milk to any market may continue to do so until they voluntarily discontinue shipping to the designated milk market.
Code 1950, § 3-362; 1966, c. 702, § 3.1-441; 1974, c. 467; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 32 - Milk Commission › § 3.2-3208. Establishing prices generally

The Commission, after a public hearing and investigation, may establish the prices to be paid producers or associations of producers by distributors in any market, may fix the minimum and maximum wholesale and maximum retail prices to be charged for milk in any market, and may also establish different prices for different grades or classes of milk. The Commission may set different maximum retail prices for the same grade or class of milk on the basis of different methods of distribution. In determining the reasonableness of prices to be paid or charged in any market for any grade, quantity, or class of milk, the Commission shall be guided by all pertinent economic factors relevant to production, processing, and distribution of milk as they affect the public interest in maintaining an adequate supply of milk within the Commonwealth, including compliance with all sanitary regulations in force in such market, necessary operation, processing, storage, and delivery charges, the prices of other foods, and the welfare of the general public. The Commission may adopt a formula incorporating these economic factors that will adjust automatically the prices to be paid producers or associations of producers by distributors in any market, and then provide for the automatic adjustment of resale prices according to the result obtained by the use of this formula. Public hearings shall not be required for price adjustments obtained by use of a formula, but shall be held for adoption or amendment of the formula itself.
Code 1950, § 3-359; 1966, c. 702, § 3.1-437; 1974, c. 467; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 32 - Milk Commission › § 3.2-3209. Establishing minimum retail price; exemption

The Commission shall have no authority to establish a minimum retail price for milk, except upon a determination after a public hearing that the absence of a minimum retail price has caused or is about to cause a disruption in the Virginia milk market or some segment of the market that is likely to depress the producer price or has caused or is likely to cause a substantial reduction in competition between processor-distributors in an area, so as to adversely affect the public health and welfare that requires an adequate supply of milk at reasonable and fair prices. In accordance with the Administrative Process Act, § 2.2-4000 et seq. and in particular § 2.2-4002, the Commission may establish minimum retail prices on an emergency basis, prior to public hearing.
The Commission, in establishing any minimum retail price when it deems it necessary to do so, shall impose a minimum retail price only for an area or political subdivision wherein the public interest as herein set forth justifies a minimum retail price being set and shall be guided by the same factors used in determining the reasonableness of prices under § 3.2-3208. The Commission shall periodically review all outstanding minimum retail price orders to insure that they do not remain in effect any longer than the public interest requires.
1974, c. 467, § 3.1-437.1; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 32 - Milk Commission › § 3.2-3210. Accounting system for distributors; inspection and audit of books and records; offenses; penalty

The Milk Commission shall prepare and adopt a system of accounting designed to show, for each distributor of milk and milk products, under the supervision of the Commission, the total purchases by any distributor of each grade or class of milk; the total sales by each distributor and the revenue therefrom, for each grade or class of milk and the quantity thereof. Such accounting system shall be designed to show total purchases including the respective grades or classes of milk bought, as well as the total sales and the respective classes or grades of milk sold.
Each distributor of milk and milk products under the supervision of the Commission shall adopt and use the system of accounting adopted by the Milk Commission. The books and records of each distributor shall be open to inspection by the Commission or its agents during regular business hours, and shall be audited by it at such regular intervals as shall be prescribed by the Milk Commission.
It shall be unlawful for any distributor to pay for milk upon any such basis of grade or class lower than that upon which such milk is sold or used by him. Nothing herein shall prevent the sale of a grade or class of milk by a distributor as milk of a lower grade or class. It shall be unlawful for any distributor to fail to use the system of accounting herein prescribed or refuse to allow the same to be inspected or audited.
Code 1950, § 3-359.1; 1956, c. 74; 1966, c. 702, § 3.1-438; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 32 - Milk Commission › § 3.2-3211. Right of entry and inspection; publication of information

Any Commission employee designated for the purpose, shall have access to, and may enter at all reasonable hours, all places where milk is stored, bottled, or manufactured into food products and any designated employee shall have the power to inspect books and records in any place within the Commonwealth for the purpose of ascertaining facts to enable the Commission to administer this chapter. All information ascertained shall be confidential, unless the parties concerned agree to its being given out. The Commission may combine such information for any market and make it public.
Code 1950, § 3-361; 1966, c. 702, § 3.1-440; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 32 - Milk Commission › § 3.2-3212. Licenses generally

The Commission may require all distributors in any market designated by the Commission to be licensed by the Commission for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter. The Commission may decline to grant a license, or may suspend or revoke a license already granted upon due notice and after a hearing. The Commission may classify licenses, and may issue licenses to distributors to process or store or sell milk to a particular city or to a particular market within the Commonwealth.
Code 1950, § 3-360; 1966, c. 702, § 3.1-439; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 32 - Milk Commission › § 3.2-3213. Report of licensees

Each licensee shall furnish to the Commission verified reports containing information as required by the Commission.
Code 1950, § 3-364; 1966, c. 702, § 3.1-443; 2008, c. 860.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food › Chapter 32 - Milk Commission › § 3.2-3214. Unlawful buying and selling

No distributor in a market covered by the provisions of this chapter shall buy milk from producers, or others, for sale within the Commonwealth, or sell or distribute milk within the Commonwealth, unless the distributor is duly licensed under the provisions of this chapter. It shall be unlawful for a distributor to buy milk from or sell milk to a distributor who is not licensed as required by this chapter. It shall be unlawful for any distributor to deal in, or handle milk if such distributor has reason to believe it has previously been dealt in, or handled, in violation of the terms and provisions of this chapter.
Code 1950, § 3-365; 1966, c. 702, § 3.1-444; 2008, c. 860.