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2018 SESSION

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HB 1099 Historical Statues in the United States Capitol, Commission on; established, report.

Introduced by: Mark H. Levine | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Commission for Historical Statues in the United States Capitol; removal of Robert E. Lee statue from National Statuary Hall Collection. Creates the Commission for Historical Statues in the United States Capitol to provide for the removal of the Robert E. Lee statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection at the United States Capitol and to recommend to the General Assembly as a replacement a statue of a prominent Virginia citizen of historic renown or renowned for distinguished civil or military service to be commemorated in the National Statuary Hall Collection.

The Commission will consist of six members appointed as follows: one member of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; one member of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; two nonlegislative citizen members who are Virginia or American historians appointed by the Governor; one nonlegislative citizen member appointed upon the vote of the Commission members appointed by the Speaker, the Senate Committee on Rules, and the Governor; and the Director of the Department of Historic Resources. Only the members of the General Assembly, the Governor's appointees, and the appointee of the Commission members will have voting privileges. General Assembly members and the Director of the Department of Historic Resources will serve ex officio. The Department of Historic Resources will provide staff support to the Commission.

The Commission will also be required to (i) select a sculptor for the new statue with preference given to a sculptor from Virginia, (ii) estimate the costs associated with the replacement of the Robert E. Lee statue, including costs related to construction and placement of the new statue, the removal and transfer of the Robert E. Lee statue, and any unveiling ceremony of the new statue, and (iii) recommend to the General Assembly a suitable state, local, or private nonprofit history museum in the Commonwealth for placement of the Robert E. Lee statue.

The bill requires (a) the Commission to hold at least one public hearing prior to making any recommendation to the General Assembly on a new statue and (b) the costs of the Commission's work to be borne by the Commission from such private funds collected by the Commission and general funds as are appropriated by the General Assembly.


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