War memorials for veterans; removal, relocation, etc.

Memorials for war veterans. Provides that a locality may remove, relocate, contextualize, cover, or alter any monument or memorial for war veterans located in its public space, except in a publicly owned cemetery, regardless of when erected and removes certain criminal and civil penalties for such removal, relocation, or alteration. Current law makes it unlawful to disturb or interfere with such monuments or memorials or to prevent citizens from taking proper measures and exercising proper means for the protection, preservation, and care of such monuments or memorials. The bill requires that such locality initiate such process by passing a resolution stating its intention and (i) formally request the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (Department) to prepare a report that, at a minimum, sets forth the background of the person or people depicted on the monument or memorial, the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the monument or memorial, and whether the monument or memorial qualifies for placement on the Virginia Landmarks Register or the National Register of Historic Places; (ii) no sooner than 30 days after publication of the report on its website, hold a public hearing to solicit comments; (iii) no sooner than 10 days after completion of the public hearing, vote whether to remove, relocate, contextualize, cover, or alter the monument or memorial; such motion requires an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to the governing body for passage. The bill authorizes the local governing body to call for an advisory referendum prior to voting on such motion; and (iv) for a period of 30 days, offer the monument or memorial for relocation and placement to any museum, historical society, government, or military battlefield. The bill provides that the local governing body shall have sole authority to determine the final disposition of the monument or memorial.The bill repeals an 1890 act of assembly related to the placement of a statue in the City of Alexandria and does not apply to a monument or memorial located on the property of a public institution of higher education within the City of Lexington. This bill incorporates SB 560 and SB 620.