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2023 SESSION

23103271D
HOUSE BILL NO. 1968
House Amendments in [ ] – January 23, 2023
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 10.1-2210.1, relating to Department of Historic Resources; Green Book historic site designation.
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Patron Prior to Engrossment--Delegate Mullin
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Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
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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 10.1-2210.1 as follows:

§ 10.1-2210.1. Green Book historic site designation.

A. For purposes of this section, "Green Book" means The Negro Motorist Green Book published by Victor Hugo Green to provide a list of hotels, guest houses, service stations, drug stores, taverns, barbershops, and restaurants known to be safe for traveling Black Americans during the Jim Crow era.

B. The Department, in partnership with the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Department of Transportation, shall designate or approve historic site signs identifying locations and businesses identified in the Green Book. Such historic site signs shall be permanently affixed to existing markers approved by the Department as provided in § 10.1-2209. The Department shall establish a registry of verified locations and businesses in the Commonwealth identified in the Green Book and determine those locations or businesses that also have a historic site marker approved by the Department on or near such location or business. The Department of Transportation shall print, place, and maintain the Green Book historic site signs. [ Localities that maintain their own highways shall place and maintain the Green Book historic site signs for those sites within their boundaries. ] The Virginia Tourism Corporation shall design the signs and maintain an informational website (i) explaining the historical significance of the Green Book in making travel safer for Black Americans and (ii) listing the Green Book locations in the Commonwealth, as identified by the Department, and identifying those locations that have posted Green Book historic site signs as provided in this section. Such signs shall include an image, outline, or similar depiction of the Green Book and the words "Green Book Location."