HOUSE BILL NO. 2599

FLOOR AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Cherry)

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 16.1-69.35:3, relating to chief judges; designation of cases to be heard in the Twelfth Judicial District.

SENATE BILL NO. __________ HOUSE BILL NO. __________

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 16.1-69.35:3 as follows:

§ 16.1-69.35:3. Twelfth Judicial District; chief judges; designation of cases to be heard in Colonial Heights.

The chief judges of the Twelfth Judicial District General District Court and the Twelfth Judicial District Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court may, in the interest of justice and by order, designate one or more of the courtrooms of the Colonial Heights General District Court or Colonial Heights Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court as the courtroom or courtrooms in which civil or criminal cases whose proper, preferred, or permissible venue is laid within Chesterfield County are to be tried. Such change in venue as ordered by the chief judge shall not be subject to objection. With respect to such orders, in case of conflict between the provisions of this section and other provisions outside this section relating to venue in cases heard by the judges of general district courts and juvenile and domestic relations district courts, all such other provisions are hereby superseded.

2. That the provisions of this act shall expire at such time that the Twelfth Judicial District General District Court and Twelfth Judicial District Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court courthouse buildings located in Chesterfield County are expanded or otherwise redesigned to suitably accommodate the office and courtroom space for an additional judge and additional administrative staff.