reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1901. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Agency" or "such agency" means an agency authorized by, or arising from action of, the General Assembly to plan for or provide transportation facilities and service for a metropolitan area located wholly or in part in the Commonwealth.
"Commission" or "district commission" means the governing body of a district.
"Component governments" means the counties and cities composing a transportation district and the various departments, bureaus, and divisions of such counties and cities.
"District" means a transportation district authorized to be created by this chapter.
"Governing bodies" means the boards of supervisors of counties and councils of cities composing a transportation district.
"Metropolitan area" means a metropolitan statistical area as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Office of Management and Budget or any contiguous counties or cities within the Commonwealth that together constitute an urban area.
"Person" means an individual, partnership, association, or corporation or any governmental agency or authority.
"State," when applied to a part of the United States, includes any of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
"Transportation facilities," "transit facilities," or "facilities" means all those matters and things utilized in rendering transportation service by means of rail, bus, water, or air and any other mode of travel, including tracks, rights-of-way, bridges, tunnels, subways, and rolling stock for rail, motor vehicle, marine, and air transportation; stations, terminals, and ports; areas for parking; buildings; structures; and all equipment, fixtures, and business activities reasonably required for the performance of transportation service, but does not include any such facilities owned by any person, company, association, or corporation the major part of whose transportation service extends beyond a transportation district created in this chapter.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1344; 1986, c. 438; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4502; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1902. Authorization to issue summons

Conductors of railroad trains, motormen, and station and depot agents of any transportation district created pursuant to this chapter shall have the power to issue a summons for any violation of § 18.2-160.1 with respect to any train operated by or under contract with such transportation district.
1988, c. 762, § 15.1-1344.1; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4503; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1904. Northern Virginia Transportation District and Commission

A. There is hereby created the Northern Virginia Transportation District (the District), comprising the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun; the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax; and such other county or city contiguous to the District that agrees to join the District.
B. There is hereby established the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (the Commission) as a transportation commission pursuant to this chapter. The Commission shall consist of five nonlegislative citizen members from Fairfax County, three nonlegislative citizen members from Arlington County, two nonlegislative citizen members from Loudoun County, two nonlegislative citizen members from the City of Alexandria, one nonlegislative member from the City of Falls Church, one nonlegislative citizen member from the City of Fairfax, and the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee to serve ex officio with voting privileges. If a county or city contiguous to the District agrees to join the District, such locality shall appoint one nonlegislative citizen member to the Commission. Members from the counties and cities shall be appointed from their respective governing bodies. The Commission shall also include four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates who may be members of the House of Delegates and two members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. All legislative members shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Members may be reappointed for successive terms. All members shall be citizens of the Commonwealth. Except for the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee, all members of the Commission shall be residents of the localities composing the District. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
2004, c. 1000, § 15.1-4503.1; 2014, c. 805; 2016, cc. 117, 374.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1905. District a body corporate

Each transportation district created pursuant to this chapter, or pursuant to an act of the General Assembly, is hereby created as a body corporate and politic under the name of, and to be known by, the name of the district with the word "commission" appended.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1346; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4505; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1906. Creation of commission to control corporation

In and for each transportation district a commission is hereby created to manage and control the functions, affairs, and property of the corporation and to exercise all of the rights, powers, and authority and perform all of the duties conferred or imposed upon the corporation.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1347; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4506; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1908. Officers of commission

Within 30 days after the appointment of the original commission members, the commission shall meet on the call of any member and shall elect one of its members as chairman and another as vice-chairman, each to serve for a term of one year or until his successor is elected and qualified. The commission shall employ a secretary and treasurer, who may or may not be a member of the commission, and, if not a commission member, fix his compensation and duties. All officers shall be eligible for reelection. Each commission member, before entering on the performance of his public duties, shall take and subscribe the oath or affirmation specified in Article II, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia. Such oath may be administered by any person authorized to administer oaths under § 49-4.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1349; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 1; 1987, c. 153; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4508; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1909. Bonds of members

Each commission member shall, before entering upon the discharge of his duties under this chapter, give bond payable to the Commonwealth in a form approved by the Attorney General, in such penalty as fixed by the Governor, with some surety or guaranty company authorized to do business in the Commonwealth and approved by the Governor, as security, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of his duties. The premium of such bonds shall be paid by the commission and the bonds shall be filed with and preserved by the Department of the Treasury's Division of Risk Management.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1350; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4509; 2002, c. 32; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1910. Compensation and expenses of members

The commission members shall receive no salary but shall be entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable and necessary expenses and compensation allowed members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board for the performance of their official duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1351; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4510; 2004, c. 1000; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1911. Meetings of commission

Regular meetings of the commission shall be held at least once every month at such time and place as the commission shall prescribe. Special meetings of the commission shall be held upon mailed notice, or actual notice otherwise given, to each commission member upon call of the chairman or any two commission members, at such time and in such place within the district as such notice may specify, or at such other time and place with or without notice as all commission members may expressly approve. All regular and special meetings of the commission shall be open to the public, but the public shall not be entitled to any notice other than provided in this section. Unless a meeting is called for the purpose of a public hearing, members of the public shall have no right to be heard or otherwise participate in the proceedings of the meeting, except to the extent the chairman may in specific instances grant. All commission records shall be public records.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1352; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4511; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1912. Quorum and action by commission

A majority of the commission, which majority shall include at least one commissioner from a majority of the component governments, shall constitute a quorum. Members of the commission who are members of the General Assembly shall not be counted in determining a quorum while the General Assembly is in session. The Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee shall be included for the purposes of constituting a quorum. The presence of a quorum and a vote of the majority of the members necessary to constitute a quorum of all the members appointed to the commission, including an affirmative vote from a majority of the members, shall be necessary to take any action. The Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee shall have voting rights equal to appointees of component governments on all matters brought before the commission. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 2.2-3708.2, members of the General Assembly may participate in the meetings of the commission through electronic communication means while the General Assembly is in session.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1353; 1966, c. 419; 1975, c. 7; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4512; 2004, c. 1000; 2013, c. 589; 2014, c. 805; 2018, c. 55.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1913. Funds of commission

A. All moneys of a commission, whether derived from any contract of the commission or from any other source, shall be collected, received, held, secured, and disbursed in accordance with any relevant contract of the commission. This section shall apply to such moneys only if and to the extent they are consistent with such commission contracts.
B. Such moneys shall not be required to be paid into the state treasury or into the treasury or to any officer of any county or city.
C. All such moneys shall be deposited by the commission in a separate bank account, appropriately designated, in banks or trust companies designated by the commission.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1355; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4513; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1914. Accounts and records

Every commission shall keep and preserve complete and accurate accounts and records of all moneys received and disbursed; business and operations; and all property and funds it owns, manages, or controls. Each commission shall prepare and transmit to the Governor and to the governing body of each county and city within the district, annually and at such other times as the Governor requires, complete and accurate reports of the state and content of such accounts and records, together with other relevant information as the Governor may require.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1356; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4514; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1916. Commission control of transportation district

The commission may exercise exclusive control, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, of matters of regulation of fares, schedules, franchising agreements, and routing of transit facilities within the boundaries of its transportation district; however, the provisions of § 5.1-7 shall be applicable to airport commissions.
1972, c. 832, § 15.1-1357.1; 1973, c. 392; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4516; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1917. Protection of employees of public transportation systems

In any county or city, the commission referred to in § 33.2-1915, in addition to other prohibitions, shall not operate any such transit facility, or otherwise provide or cause to be provided any transportation services, unless fair and equitable arrangements have been made for the protection of employees of existing public transportation systems in the transportation district or in the metropolitan area in which the transportation district is located. Such protections shall include (i) assurances of employment to employees of such transportation systems to the fullest extent possible consistent with sound management, and priority of employment or, if terminated or laid off, reemployment; (ii) preservation of rights, privileges, and benefits, including continuation of pension rights and benefits, under existing collective bargaining agreements or otherwise; (iii) continuation of collective bargaining rights; (iv) protection of individual employees against a worsening of their positions with respect to their employment, to the extent provided by 49 U.S.C. § 5333 (b), also known as § 13(c) of the Federal Transit Act; and (v) paid training and retraining programs. Such protections shall be specified by the commission in any contract or lease for the acquisition or operation of any such transit facilities or services. The employees of any transit facility operated by the commission shall have the right, in the case of any labor dispute relating to the terms and conditions of their employment for the purpose of resolving such dispute, to submit the dispute to final and binding arbitration by an impartial umpire or board of arbitration acceptable to the parties.
1974, c. 53, § 15.1-1357.2; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4517; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1918. Background checks of applicants and employees

A. Any commission created pursuant to this chapter may require any individual who is offered a position of employment with the commission, or with any contractor of the commission when such individual is to be assigned to directly provide transit services to the public under a contract with the commission, to submit to fingerprinting and to provide personal descriptive information to be forwarded along with the individual's fingerprints through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information regarding such individual. The commission shall bear all costs of obtaining criminal history record information regarding such individual, including expenses incurred by the State Police in connection with such fingerprinting or criminal records check. The commission may require such individual or contractor to reimburse the commission for the cost of the fingerprinting or a criminal records check or both.
B. The Central Criminal Records Exchange, upon receipt of an individual's record or notification that no record exists, shall make a report to the commission's chief administrative officer, who must belong to a governmental entity. The information shall not be disseminated except as provided for in this section.
2010, cc. 189, 563, § 15.1-4517.1; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1921. Judicial determination of validity of bonds

The provisions of Article 6 (§ 15.2-2650 et seq.) of Chapter 26 of Title 15.2 apply to all suits, actions, and proceedings of whatever nature involving the validity of bonds issued by a transportation district under the provisions of this article.
1968, c. 551, § 15.1-1358.3; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4520; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1922. Contracts and payment thereof

A. Any county or city embraced by a transportation district is authorized to enter into contracts or agreements with the commission for such transportation district, or with an agency, pursuant to which such transportation district, subject to the limitations contained in this section, or such agency undertakes to provide the transportation facilities specified in a duly adopted transportation plan or to render transportation service. Any obligations arising from such contracts are deemed to be for a public purpose and may be paid for, in the discretion of each county or city, in whole or in part, by appropriations from general revenues or from the proceeds of a bond issue or issues; however, any such contract must specify the annual maximum obligation of any county or city for payments to meet the expenses and obligations of the transportation district or such agency or provide a formula to determine the payment of any such county or city for such expenses and obligations. Each county or city desiring to contract with a transportation district or an agency is authorized to do so, provided it complies with the appropriate provisions of law, and thereafter is authorized to do everything necessary or proper to carry out and perform every such contract and to provide for the payment or discharge of any obligation thereunder by the same means and in the same manner as any other of its obligations.
B. Except as otherwise provided by law:
1. No bonded debt shall be contracted by any county to finance the payment of any obligations arising from its contracts hereunder unless the voters of such county shall approve by a majority vote of the voters voting in an election the contracting of any such debt, the borrowing of money, and issuance of bonds. Such debt shall be contracted and bonds issued and such election shall be held in the manner provided in and subject to the provisions of the Public Finance Act (§ 15.2-2600 et seq.) relating to counties; and
2. The contracting of debt, borrowing of money, and issuance of bonds by any city to finance the payment of any obligations arising from its contracts hereunder shall be effected in the manner provided in and subject to the provisions of the Public Finance Act (§ 15.2-2600 et seq.) relating to cities.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1359; 1968, c. 363; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4521; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1923. Venue

Every such contract shall be enforceable by the transportation district with which the contract is made, as provided under the laws of the Commonwealth, and, if any such contract is entered into with an agency or is relied upon in a contract between a commission and any such agency, the agency also shall have the right to enforce the contract. The venue for actions on any contract between a transportation district and a component government shall be as specified in subdivision 10 of § 8.01-261. Venue in all other matters arising hereunder shall be as provided by law.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1360; 1977, c. 624; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4522; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1924. Acquisition of median strips for transit facilities in interstate highways

When the district commission, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and the governing bodies of the component governments determine that the time schedule for construction of any interstate highway, as defined in § 33.2-100, within the district makes it necessary to acquire median strips for transit facilities in such highway prior to the adoption of a transportation plan, each county and city within the district is authorized to pay to the Commonwealth Transportation Board such sums as may be agreed upon among the district commission and such counties and cities to provide the Commonwealth Transportation Board with the necessary matching funds to acquire the median strips. Any such acquisition shall be made by and in the name of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1361; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4523; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1925. Appropriations

The governing bodies of counties and cities participating in a transportation district are authorized to appropriate funds for the administrative and other expenses and obligations (i) of the commission of the transportation district, as provided in subsection D of § 33.2-1915, (ii) of an agency, and (iii) for such other purposes as may be specified in a law creating a transportation district.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1362; 1970, c. 449; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4524; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1926. Powers granted are in addition to all other powers

The powers conferred by this chapter on counties and cities are in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law, and may be exercised by resolution or ordinance of the governing bodies thereof, as required by law, without regard to the terms, conditions, requirements, restrictions, or other provisions contained in any other law, general or special, or in any charter.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1363; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4525; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1927. Liabilities of Commonwealth, counties, and cities

A. Except for claims cognizable under the Virginia Tort Claims Act, Article 18.1 (§ 8.01-195.1 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 8.01, no pecuniary liability of any kind shall be imposed on the Commonwealth or upon any county or city constituting any part of any transportation district because of any act, agreement, contract, tort, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance by or on the part of the commission of such transportation district, or any commission member, or its agents, servants, and employees, except as otherwise provided in this chapter with reference to contracts and agreements between the commission or interstate agency and any county or city.
B. Except for claims cognizable under the Virginia Tort Claims Act, Article 18.1 (§ 8.01-195.1 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 8.01, the obligations and any indebtedness of a commission shall not be in any way a debt or liability of the Commonwealth, or of any county or city in whole or in part embraced by the transportation district, and shall not create or constitute any indebtedness, liability, or obligation of the Commonwealth or of any such county or city, legal, moral, or otherwise, and nothing in this chapter contained shall be construed to authorize a commission or district to incur any indebtedness on behalf of or in any way to obligate the Commonwealth or any county or city in whole or in part embraced by the transportation district; however, any contracts or agreements between the commission and any county or city provided for in subdivisions A 4 and B 4 of § 33.2-1915 shall inure to the benefit of any creditor of the transportation district or, when applicable, to an agency as therein provided.
C. For purposes of this section, "liability policy," as it is used in the Virginia Tort Claims Act, specifically includes any program of self-insurance maintained by a district and administered by the Department of the Treasury's Division of Risk Management.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1364; 1986, c. 584; 1987, c. 383; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4526; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1928. Planning process

A. In performing the duties imposed under subsections A and B of § 33.2-1915, the commission shall cooperate with the governing bodies of the counties and cities embraced by the transportation district and agencies thereof, with the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and with an agency of which members of the district commission are also members, to the end that the plans, decisions, and policies for transportation shall be consistent with and shall foster the development and implementation of the general plans and policies of the counties and cities for their orderly growth and development.
B. Each commission member shall serve as the liaison between the commission and the body by which he was appointed, and those commission members who are also members of an agency shall provide liaison between the district commission and such agency, to the end that the district commission, its component governments, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and any such agency shall be continuously, comprehensively, and mutually advised of plans, policies, and actions requiring consideration in the planning for transportation and in the development of planned transportation facilities.
C. To assure that planning, policy, and decision-making are consistent with the development plans for the orderly growth of the counties and cities and coordinated with the plans and programs of the Commonwealth Transportation Board and are based on comprehensive data with respect to current and prospective local conditions, including land use, economic and population factors, the objectives for future urban development, and future travel demands generated by such considerations, the commission may:
1. Create, subject to their appointment, technical committees from the personnel of the agencies of the counties and cities and from the Commonwealth Transportation Board concerned with planning, collection, and analysis of data relevant to decision-making in the transportation planning process. Appointments to such technical committees, however, are to be made by the governing bodies of the counties and cities and by the Commonwealth Transportation Board; or
2. If the transportation district is located within an area that has an organized planning process created in conformance with the provisions of 23 U.S.C. § 134, utilize the technical committees created for such planning process.
D. The commission, on behalf of the counties and cities within the transportation district, but only upon their direction, is authorized to enter into the written agreements specified in 23 U.S.C. § 134 to assure conformance with the requirements of that law for continuous, comprehensive transportation planning.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1365; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4527; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1930. Procedure for enlargement

A transportation district may be enlarged to include any additional county or part thereof, or city or part thereof, contiguous thereto, upon such terms and conditions, consistent with the provisions of this chapter, as may be agreed upon by the commission and such additional county or city and in conformance with the following procedures. The governing body of the county or city shall adopt an ordinance specifying the area to be enlarged, containing the finding specified in § 33.2-1903 and a statement that a contract or agreement between the county or city and the commission specifying the terms and conditions of admittance to the transportation district has been executed. The ordinance, to which shall be attached a certified copy of the contract, shall be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Upon certification by the Secretary of the Commonwealth to the Tax Commissioner, the commissioner, and the governing bodies of each of the component counties and cities that the ordinance required by this section has been filed and that its terms conform to the requirements of this section, the additional county or part thereof, or city or part thereof, upon the entry of such certification in the minutes of the proceedings of the governing body of such county or city, shall become a component government of the transportation district and part of the transportation district.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1367; 1974, c. 566; 1975, c. 405; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4529; 2006, c. 354; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1931. Resolution or ordinance

A county or city may withdraw from the transportation district by resolution or ordinance, as may be appropriate, adopted by a majority vote of its governing body. The withdrawal of any county or city shall not be effective until the resolution or ordinance of withdrawal is filed with the transportation district commission and with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1368; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4530; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1932. Financial obligations

The withdrawal from the transportation district of any county or city shall not relieve the county or city from any obligation or commitment made or incurred while a district member.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1369; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4531; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1933. Public purpose; exemption from taxation

It is hereby found, determined, and declared that the creation of any transportation district pursuant to this chapter and the carrying out of the corporate purposes of any such transportation district is in all respects for the benefit of the people of the Commonwealth and is a public purpose and that the transportation district and the commission will be performing an essential governmental function in the exercise of the powers conferred by this chapter. Accordingly, the transportation district shall not be required to pay taxes or assessments upon any of the property acquired by it or under its jurisdiction, control, possession, or supervision or upon its activities in the operation and maintenance of any transportation facilities or upon any revenues therefrom, and the property and the income derived therefrom shall be exempt from all state, municipal, and local taxation. This exemption shall include all motor vehicle license fees, motor vehicle sales and use taxes, retail sales and use taxes, and motor fuel taxes. The governing body of any political subdivision within a transportation district may refund in whole or in part any payments for taxes or license fees or abate in whole or in part any assessments for taxes or license fees on any property exempt from taxation or license fees under this section that were assessed and levied prior to the acquisition of any transportation facilities by a transportation district.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1370; 1975, c. 486; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4532; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1934. Liability for torts

Every district shall be liable for its torts and those of its officers, employees, and agents committed in the conduct of any proprietary function but shall not be liable for any torts occurring in the performance of a governmental function. However, this section shall not apply to a transportation district subject to the provisions of the Virginia Tort Claims Act (§ 8.01-195.1 et seq.).
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1371; 1986, c. 584; 1991, c. 23; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4533; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1935. Liberal construction

This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the Commonwealth and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to effect the purposes thereof.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1372; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4534; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 19 - Transportation District Act of 1964 › § 33.2-1936. Transportation districts with unique needs

The General Assembly finds that transportation districts that (i) have a population of 1.7 million or more, as shown by the most recent United States Census, (ii) have not less than 1.5 million motor vehicles registered therein, and (iii) have a total transit ridership of not less than 75 million riders per year across all transit systems within the transportation district and in which a rapid heavy rail commuter mass transportation system operating on an exclusive right-of-way and a bus commuter mass transportation system are owned, operated, or controlled by an agency or commission as defined in § 33.2-1901 have unique transportation needs.
2018, cc. 854, 856.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 20 - Local Transportation Districts › § 33.2-2002. Commission to exercise powers of the district

The powers of a district created pursuant to this chapter shall be exercised by a commission. The commission shall consist of four members of the governing body of each locality in which the district is located, appointed by their respective local governing bodies. In addition to the members from each locality, the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee shall be a member of the commission of any district created pursuant to this chapter.
The commission shall elect a chairman from its membership. The chairman may be the chairman or presiding officer of a local governing body. In addition, the commission, with the advice of the district advisory board, shall elect a secretary and a treasurer, who may be members or employees of any local governing body or other governmental body. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be combined. A majority of the commission members shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote shall be necessary for any action taken by the commission. No vacancy in the membership of the commission shall impair the right of a majority of the members to form a quorum or to exercise all of its rights, powers, and duties.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-411; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 20 - Local Transportation Districts › § 33.2-2004. Appointment of district advisory boards

Within 30 days after the establishment of a district under this chapter, the local governing body from each locality within which any portion of the district is located shall appoint six members to a district advisory board. Three of the six members from each locality shall be chosen by the local governing body from nominations submitted to the local governing body by the petitioners. All members shall own or represent commercially or industrially zoned property within the district. Each member shall be appointed for a term of four years, except the initial appointment of advisory board members shall provide that the terms of three of the members shall be for two years. If a vacancy occurs with respect to an advisory board member initially appointed by a local governing body, or any successor of such a member, the local governing body shall appoint a new member who is a representative or owner of commercially or industrially zoned property within the local district. If a vacancy occurs with respect to an advisory board member initially nominated by the petitioners, or any successor thereof, the remaining advisory board members initially nominated by the petitioners, or their successors, shall nominate a new member for selection by the local governing body.
District advisory board members shall serve without pay, but the local governing body shall provide the advisory board with facilities for the holding of meetings, and the commission shall appropriate funds needed to defray the reasonable expenses and fees of the advisory board that shall not exceed $20,000 annually, including expenses and fees arising out of the preparation of the annual report. Such appropriations shall be based on an annual budget submitted by the board, and approved by the commission, sufficient to carry out its responsibilities under this chapter. The advisory board shall elect a chairman and a secretary and such other officers as it deems necessary. The advisory board shall fix the time for holding regular meetings, but it shall meet at least once every year. Special meetings of the advisory board shall be called by the chairman or by two members of the advisory board upon written request to the secretary of the advisory board. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
The advisory board shall present an annual report to the commission on the transportation needs of the district and on the activities of the advisory board, and the advisory board shall present special reports on transportation matters as requested by the commission or the local governing body concerning taxes to be levied pursuant to this chapter.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-413; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 20 - Local Transportation Districts › § 33.2-2005. Annual special improvements tax; use of revenues

Upon the written request of the commission made concurrently to the local governing body or bodies pursuant to this chapter, each local governing body may levy and collect an annual special improvements tax on taxable real estate zoned for commercial or industrial use or used for such purposes and taxable leasehold interests in that portion of the improvement district within its jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 4 (§ 58.1-3229 et seq.) of Chapter 32 of Title 58.1, the tax shall be levied on the assessed fair market value of the taxable real property. The rate of the special improvements tax shall not be more than 20 cents ($0.20) per $100 of the assessed fair market value of any taxable real estate or the assessable value of taxable leasehold property as specified by § 58.1-3203; however, if all the owners in any district so request in writing, this limitation on rate shall not apply. Such special improvements taxes shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as the locality's taxes are collected, and the proceeds shall be kept in a separate account. The effective date of the initial assessment shall be January 1 of the year following adoption of the resolution creating the district. All revenues received by each locality pursuant to such taxes shall be paid to or at the direction of the district commission for its use pursuant to this chapter.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-415; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 20 - Local Transportation Districts › § 33.2-2006. Agreements with Commonwealth Transportation Board; payment of special improvements tax to Transportation Trust Fund

A. The district may contract with the Commonwealth Transportation Board for the Commonwealth Transportation Board to perform any of the purposes of the district.
The district may agree by contract to pay all or a portion of the special improvements tax to the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
Prior to executing any such contract, the district shall seek the agreement of each local governing body creating the district that the locality's officer charged with the responsibility for preparing the locality's annual budget shall submit in the budget for each fiscal year in which any Commonwealth of Virginia Transportation Contract Revenue Bonds issued for such district are outstanding all amounts to be paid to the Commonwealth Transportation Board under such contract during such fiscal year.
If the amount required to be paid to the Commonwealth Transportation Board under the contract is not so paid for a period of 60 days after such amount is due, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall, until such amount has been paid, withhold sufficient funds from funds appropriated and allocated, pursuant to Article 5 (§ 33.2-351 et seq.) of Chapter 3, to the highway construction district in which the transportation improvements covered by such contract are located or to such locality in which such transportation improvements are located and to use such funds to satisfy the contractual requirements.
B. While nothing in this chapter shall limit the authority of any locality to change the classification of property zoned for commercial or industrial use or used for such purpose upon the written request or approval of the owner of any property affected by such change after the effective date of any such contract, should a change in zoning classification so requested result in a shortfall in the total annual revenues from the imposition of the special improvements tax and the payments required to be made to the Commonwealth Transportation Board pursuant to the contract, the district shall request the local governing body to increase the rate of such tax by such amount up to the maximum authorized rate as may be necessary to prevent such shortfall. If, however, a deficit remains after any rezoning and adjustment of the tax rate or the rate is at the maximum authorized rate and cannot be increased, then the amount of funds otherwise appropriated and allocated, pursuant to the highway allocation formula as provided by law, to the highway construction district in which the project covered by such contract is located or to such county or counties in which such project is located shall be reduced by the amount of such deficit and used to satisfy the deficit.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-416; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 20 - Local Transportation Districts › § 33.2-2007. Jurisdiction of localities and officers, etc., not affected

Neither the creation of a district nor any other provision in this chapter shall affect the power, jurisdiction, or duties of the respective local governing bodies; sheriffs; treasurers; commissioners of the revenue; circuit, district, or other courts; clerks of any court; magistrates; or any other local or state officer in regard to the area embraced in any district or restrict or prevent any locality or town, or its governing body, from imposing and collecting taxes or assessments for public improvements as permitted by law. Any locality that creates a district pursuant to this chapter may obligate itself with respect to the zoning ordinances, zoning ordinance text, and regulations relating thereto for all commercial and industrial classifications within the district as provided in this chapter for a term not to exceed 20 years from the date on which such district is created.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-417; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 20 - Local Transportation Districts › § 33.2-2008. Allocation of funds to districts

The governing body of any locality in which a district has been created pursuant to this chapter may advance funds or provide matching funds from money not otherwise specifically allocated or obligated. Such funds may be received or generated from whatever source, including general revenues, special fees and assessments, state allocations, and contributions from private sources to a local district to assist the local district to undertake the transportation improvements for which it was created. To assist the district with an approved transportation improvement, the Commonwealth Transportation Board may allocate to a district created pursuant to this chapter only funds allocated, pursuant to Article 5 (§ 33.2-351 et seq.) of Chapter 3, and subsection A of § 58.1-638, to the construction districts and localities in which such transportation district is located.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-418; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 20 - Local Transportation Districts › § 33.2-2009. Reimbursement for advances to district

To the extent that a locality or town has made advances to the district, the commission shall direct the district treasurer to reimburse the locality or town from any district funds not otherwise specifically allocated or obligated.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-419; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 20 - Local Transportation Districts › § 33.2-2010. Cooperation between districts and other political subdivisions

Any district created pursuant to this chapter may enter into agreements with localities, towns, or other political subdivisions of the Commonwealth for joint or cooperative action in accordance with the authority contained in § 15.2-1300.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-420; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 20 - Local Transportation Districts › § 33.2-2011. Tort liability

No pecuniary liability of any kind shall be imposed upon the Commonwealth or any locality, town, or landowner therein because of any act, agreement, contract, tort, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance by or on the part of a district or its agents, servants, or employees.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-421; 2014, c. 805.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 33.2 - Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems › Chapter 20 - Local Transportation Districts › § 33.2-2012. Approval by Commonwealth Transportation Board

The district shall not construct or improve a transportation improvement without the approval of both the Commonwealth Transportation Board and the locality in which the transportation improvement will be located. At the request of the commission, the Commissioner of Highways may exercise the powers of condemnation provided in Chapter 2 (§ 25.1-200 et seq.) of Title 25.1, Article 1 (§ 33.2-1000 et seq.) of Chapter 10, or § 33.2-705 for the purpose of acquiring property for transportation improvements within the district.
Upon completion of such construction or improvement, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall take any affected public highway into the appropriate state highway system for purposes of maintenance and subsequent improvements as necessary. Upon acceptance by the Commonwealth of such highway into a state highway system, all rights, title, and interest in the right-of-way and improvements of any affected highway shall vest in the Commonwealth. Upon completion of construction or improvement of a mass transit system, all rights, title, and interest in the right-of-way and improvements of such mass transit system shall vest in an agency or instrumentality of the Commonwealth designated by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-422; 2003, c. 940; 2014, c. 805.