CHAPTER 326

An Act to amend and reenact § 17.1-327 of the Code of Virginia, relating to retired justices and judges; per diem payments for attendance at mandatory judicial conferences.

[S 1069]

Approved March 21, 2025

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 17.1-327 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 17.1-327. Payment for services of retired judges; members of the State Corporation Commission and Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission.

A. Any justice, judge, member of the State Corporation Commission, or member of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission who is retired under the Judicial Retirement System (§ 51.1-300 et seq.) and who is temporarily recalled to service shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred during such service and shall be paid a per diem of $400 for each day he actually sits, exclusive of travel time.

B. Any justice or judge who is retired under the Judicial Retirement System (§ 51.1-300 et seq.) and is eligible for recall pursuant to § 16.1-69.22:1 or 17.1-106 shall be paid a per diem rate as determined by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia for attendance at any mandatory judicial conference.

2. That the provisions of the first enactment of this act shall not become effective unless reenacted by the 2026 Session of the General Assembly.

3. That the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia shall study the provision of an hourly rate of payment for any judge who is retired under the Judicial Retirement System and is eligible for recall pursuant to § 16.1-69.22:1 or 17.1-106 of the Code of Virginia for any time necessarily expended in the discharge of his service when such judge is not actually sitting. The Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia shall report its findings and recommendations to the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees for Courts of Justice by October 1, 2025.