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2003 SESSION

031079577
SENATE BILL NO. 948
Offered January 8, 2003
Prefiled January 7, 2003
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 30-19.03:1.2, relating to Local Taxpayer Protection Act.
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Patrons-- Houck, Deeds, Puckett and Reynolds
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Referred to Committee on Finance
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 30-19.03:1.2 as follows:

§ 30-19.03:1.2. Appropriation required for legislation affecting local government expenditures.

A. Any new program or mandate requiring a net additional expenditure by any county, city or town, as defined in § 30-19.03:1, shall not become effective unless an annual appropriation is made from the general fund to affected counties, cities and towns by the General Assembly at its next Session, such appropriation being sufficient to fund such program or mandate.

B. A new program or mandate requiring a net additional expenditure by any county, city or town, as defined in § 30-19.03:1, shall become effective notwithstanding subsection A if the General Assembly (i) passes such legislation with an emergency clause and provides an estimated amount to fund such mandate or program in the current budget, or (ii) affirmatively votes by a four-fifths vote to pass such legislation without sufficient funding.

C. This section shall not apply to legislation that impacts traditional or constitutionally required local government responsibilities and functions.

2. That all localities of the Commonwealth shall provide a statement of fiscal impact to the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee no later than September 1 of each year for each act of the General Assembly passed pursuant to § 30-19.03:1.2.