2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

24103916D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1093

Offered January 10, 2024

Prefiled January 10, 2024

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15.2-2507.1, relating to unfunded mandates; delay of implementation.

—————

Patron—Oates

—————

Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

—————

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 15.2-2507.1 as follows:

§ 15.2-2507.1. Delay of implementation of unfunded mandates.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, in the event that the General Assembly in a regular or special session enacts into law an unfunded mandate, any county, city, or town may, in its discretion, delay implementing such unfunded mandate until the next fiscal year after the fiscal year in which the unfunded mandate became effective. Any locality delaying the implementation of an unfunded mandate shall do so by ordinance that states with specificity the unfunded mandate that the locality seeks to delay implementing and the date on which the unfunded mandate shall become effective after the delay. If a locality passes such an ordinance, the locality shall be authorized to delay implementation of such unfunded mandate. For purposes of this section, "unfunded mandate" means any act that is enacted into law and that imposes on a locality the responsibility of providing funding for new programs or increased levels of service under existing programs and for which the Commonwealth does not provide sufficient funding to cover the required costs of such new programs or increased services, whether by appropriation or other means.