Local human rights ordinances; sexual orientationand gender identity. Provides that localities may prohibit discriminationin housing, employment, public accommodations, credit, and educationon the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Voir dire examination of persons called as jurors; criminal case. Allows the court and counsel for either party in a criminal case to (i) ask potential jurors any relevant question to ascertain whether the juror can sit impartially in either the guilt or sentencing phase of the case and (ii) inform any potential juror as to the potential range of punishments to ascertain if the person or juror can sit impartially in the sentencing phase of the case. This bill is identical to SB 325.
Public institutions of higher education; governingboards; educational programs. Requires all members of governingboards of public institutions of higher education to participatein educational programs designed to address the role, duties, andresponsibilities of the governing boards at least once within thefirst two years of membership and at least once within every twoyears of membership thereafter. Under current law, new members arerequired to participate in such programs at least once during theirfirst two years of membership. The bill requires each public institutionof higher education to maintain on its website the names of all voting members of the governing board who successfully complete such educationalprograms, as certified by the State Council of Higher Education forVirginia.
Construction management or design-build contracts; use by local public bodies. Limits the use of construction management by localities to projects where the project cost is expected to be less than the project cost threshold established in the procedures adopted by the Secretary of Administration for utilizing construction management or design-build contracts, provided that (i) the project is a complex project and (ii) the project procurement method is approved by the local governing body. Current law allows unqualified construction management for projects over $10 million and construction management meeting the provisions in (i) and (ii) for projects under $10 million.
Land bank entities; conflict of interests. Replaces an existing conflict of interests standard for members of the board and employees of a land bank entity by providing that, with regard to any contract or proposed contract for materials to be furnished to or used by the land bank entity, such members and employees are subject to the State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act.
Charter; Town of Brodnax; town council; membership; meetings. Reduces from seven to five the number of town councilmen for the Town of Brodnax. The bill also reduces from four to three the number of councilmen needed for a quorum and from four to two the number of councilmen needed to call a special meeting. The bill contains an emergency clause and is identical to SB 257.
Land bank entities; planning district commissions. Permits localities to designate a planning district commission to carry out the functions of a land bank entity. Currently, localities may create an authority or designate certain existing nonprofit organizations to carry out the functions of a land bank entity.
Charter; Town of Bluefield. Amends the town's charter by (i) increasing the number of council members from five to six, (ii) allowing the mayor to vote only to break ties rather than on all matters, (iii) clarifying that the council may act by motion in addition to ordinance and resolution, and (iv) making technical amendments. This bill is identical to SB 244.
Charter; Town of Elkton; town boundaries; council meetings. Codifies various annexation agreements between the Town of Elkton and Rockingham County. The bill increases from 30 to 45 days the maximum allowable period between a vacancy in the council and the filling of the vacancy. The bill also authorizes the Chief of Police to deliver via a designee a notice of a special or emergency meeting of the council. This bill is identical to SB 597.
Subdivision plats. Provides that certainapproved final subdivision plats shall remain valid indefinitelyif a recorded plat dedicating real property to the locality has beenaccepted by such grantee.
Charter; Town of Middleburg. Amends the charter of the Town of Middleburg by clarifying the powers and duties of the mayor, the town council, and the appointed town officials. This bill is identical to SB 541.
Charter; Town of Scottsville; town council and other town officers. Provides staggered elections for the town council and removes authority of the town council to appoint other police officers besides the town sergeant. The bill authorizes the town council to appoint a town administrator, and authorizes the town council to appoint one person to multiple offices. The bill changes the term "president of the council" to "vice-mayor" and includes female pronouns with all instances of male pronouns. The bill contains an emergency clause and is identical to SB 281.
