{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-2903.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-2903.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-2903.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-2903.html"}],"law_id":60350,"edition_id":1,"section_id":60350,"structure_id":14227,"section_number":"15.2-2903","catch_line":"General powers and duties of Commission","history":"1979, c. 85, \u00a7 15.1-945.3; 1980, c. 592; 1984, c. 444; 1985, cc. 397, 478; 1988, c. 881; 1993, cc. 652, 723; 1997, c. 587; 2004, c. 234; 2011, c. 381; 2014, c. 242; 2024, c. 426.","full_text":"The Commission shall have the following general powers and duties:\n\n1\n\nTo make regulations, including rules of procedure for the conducting of hearings;2\n\nTo keep a record of its proceedings and to be responsible for the custody and preservation of its papers and documents;3\n\nTo serve as a mediator between localities;4\n\nTo investigate, analyze, and make findings of fact, as directed by law, as to the probable effect on the people residing in any area of the Commonwealth of any proposed action in that area:\n\t\t\ta. To annex territory,\n\t\t\tb. To have an area declared immune from annexation,\n\t\t\tc. To establish a town or independent city,\n\t\t\td. To settle or adjust boundaries between localities,\n\t\t\te. To make a transition from city status to town status,\n\t\t\tf. To make a transition from a county to a city,\n\t\t\tg. To consolidate two or more localities, at least one of which is a county, into a city, or\n\t\t\th. To enter into economic growth-sharing agreements among localities;5\n\nTo conduct investigations, analyses and determinations, in the sole discretion of the Commission, for the guidance of localities in the conduct of their affairs upon the request of such localities;6\n\nTo receive from all agencies, as defined in § 2.2-128, assessments of all mandates imposed on localities administered by such agencies. The assessments shall be conducted on a schedule to be set by the Commission, with the approval of the Governor and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, provided that the assessments shall not be required to be performed more than once every four years. The purpose of the assessments shall be to determine which mandates, if any, may be altered or eliminated. If an assessment reveals that such mandates may be altered or eliminated without interruption of local service delivery and without undue threat to the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Commonwealth, the Commission shall so advise the Governor and the General Assembly;7\n\nTo prepare and annually update a catalog of state and federal mandates imposed on localities including, where available, a summary of the fiscal impact on localities of all new mandates. All departments, agencies of government, and localities are directed to make available such information and assistance as the Commission may request in maintaining the catalog;8\n\n[Expired];9\n\nTo act in an oversight capacity and coordinate with the Auditor of Public Accounts for the purpose of determining whether a locality in fiscal distress has taken appropriate action as provided in § 15.2-2512.1; and10\n\nTo perform such other duties as may be imposed upon it, from time to time, by law.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":220710,"text":"The Commission shall have the following general powers and duties:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":220711,"text":"To make regulations, including rules of procedure for the conducting of hearings;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":220712,"text":"To keep a record of its proceedings and to be responsible for the custody and preservation of its papers and documents;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":220713,"text":"To serve as a mediator between localities;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":220714,"text":"To investigate, analyze, and make findings of fact, as directed by law, as to the probable effect on the people residing in any area of the Commonwealth of any proposed action in that area:\n\t\t\ta. To annex territory,\n\t\t\tb. To have an area declared immune from annexation,\n\t\t\tc. To establish a town or independent city,\n\t\t\td. To settle or adjust boundaries between localities,\n\t\t\te. To make a transition from city status to town status,\n\t\t\tf. To make a transition from a county to a city,\n\t\t\tg. To consolidate two or more localities, at least one of which is a county, into a city, or\n\t\t\th. To enter into economic growth-sharing agreements among localities;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":220715,"text":"To conduct investigations, analyses and determinations, in the sole discretion of the Commission, for the guidance of localities in the conduct of their affairs upon the request of such localities;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":220716,"text":"To receive from all agencies, as defined in § 2.2-128, assessments of all mandates imposed on localities administered by such agencies. The assessments shall be conducted on a schedule to be set by the Commission, with the approval of the Governor and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, provided that the assessments shall not be required to be performed more than once every four years. The purpose of the assessments shall be to determine which mandates, if any, may be altered or eliminated. If an assessment reveals that such mandates may be altered or eliminated without interruption of local service delivery and without undue threat to the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Commonwealth, the Commission shall so advise the Governor and the General Assembly;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":220717,"text":"To prepare and annually update a catalog of state and federal mandates imposed on localities including, where available, a summary of the fiscal impact on localities of all new mandates. All departments, agencies of government, and localities are directed to make available such information and assistance as the Commission may request in maintaining the catalog;","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":220718,"text":"[Expired];","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":220719,"text":"To act in an oversight capacity and coordinate with the Auditor of Public Accounts for the purpose of determining whether a locality in fiscal distress has taken appropriate action as provided in § 15.2-2512.1; and","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"10"},"10":{"id":220720,"text":"To perform such other duties as may be imposed upon it, from time to time, by law.","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14227,"edition_id":1,"name":"Commission on Local Government","identifier":"29","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13062,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:22","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:22","permalink":{"id":156921,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14227,"identifier":"29","token":"15.2\/III\/29","url":"\/15.2\/III\/29\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13062,"edition_id":1,"name":"Boundary Adjustments and Changes of Status of Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:12","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:12","permalink":{"id":156919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13062,"identifier":"III","token":"15.2\/III","url":"\/15.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":68774,"structure_id":14227,"section_number":"15.2-2900","catch_line":"Purpose and intent","url":"\/15.2-2900\/","token":"15.2\/III\/29\/15.2-2900","metadata":false},{"id":82672,"structure_id":14227,"section_number":"15.2-2901","catch_line":"Membership; appointment, terms and qualifications of members; vacancies; Executive Director","url":"\/15.2-2901\/","token":"15.2\/III\/29\/15.2-2901","metadata":false},{"id":68413,"structure_id":14227,"section_number":"15.2-2902","catch_line":"Continuing temporary membership for purposes of Commission reports","url":"\/15.2-2902\/","token":"15.2\/III\/29\/15.2-2902","metadata":false},{"id":60350,"structure_id":14227,"section_number":"15.2-2903","catch_line":"General powers and duties of Commission","url":"\/15.2-2903\/","token":"15.2\/III\/29\/15.2-2903","metadata":false},{"id":59932,"structure_id":14227,"section_number":"15.2-2904","catch_line":"Meetings; quorum; majority vote; panel to conduct investigation and make report; compensation and expenses","url":"\/15.2-2904\/","token":"15.2\/III\/29\/15.2-2904","metadata":false},{"id":73436,"structure_id":14227,"section_number":"15.2-2905","catch_line":"Officers","url":"\/15.2-2905\/","token":"15.2\/III\/29\/15.2-2905","metadata":false},{"id":78589,"structure_id":14227,"section_number":"15.2-2906","catch_line":"Disqualification of Commissioners","url":"\/15.2-2906\/","token":"15.2\/III\/29\/15.2-2906","metadata":false},{"id":63000,"structure_id":14227,"section_number":"15.2-2907","catch_line":"Actions for annexation, immunity, establishment of city, etc.; investigations and reports by Commission; negotiation","url":"\/15.2-2907\/","token":"15.2\/III\/29\/15.2-2907","metadata":false},{"id":55447,"structure_id":14227,"section_number":"15.2-2908","catch_line":"Notice to Commission deemed to institute action or proceeding","url":"\/15.2-2908\/","token":"15.2\/III\/29\/15.2-2908","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":68413,"structure_id":14227,"section_number":"15.2-2902","catch_line":"Continuing temporary membership for purposes of Commission reports","url":"\/15.2-2902\/","token":"15.2\/III\/29\/15.2-2902","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":59932,"structure_id":14227,"section_number":"15.2-2904","catch_line":"Meetings; quorum; majority vote; panel to conduct investigation and make report; compensation and expenses","url":"\/15.2-2904\/","token":"15.2\/III\/29\/15.2-2904","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-2903\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 85 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1979 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 10 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1980, chapter 592; in 1984, chapter 444; in 1985, chapters 397 and 478; in 1988, chapter 881; in 1993, chapters 652 and 723; in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 234<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 381<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 242<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 426<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":83819,"section_number":"15.2-1301","catch_line":"Voluntary economic growth-sharing agreements","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1301\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":72195,"section_number":"15.2-2512.1","catch_line":"Local fiscal distress; determination by Auditor of Public Accounts; state intervention","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-2512.1\/"},{"id":73064,"section_number":"2.2-128","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-128\/"}],"permalink":{"id":156935,"object_type":"law","relational_id":60350,"identifier":"15.2-2903","token":"15.2\/III\/29\/15.2-2903","url":"\/15.2-2903\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-2903\/","token":"15.2\/III\/29\/15.2-2903","dublin_core":{"Title":"General powers and duties of Commission","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-2903","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Commission shall have the following general powers and duties:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> To make regulations, including rules of procedure for the conducting of hearings<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> To keep a record of its proceedings and to be responsible for the custody<\/span> and preservation of its papers and documents; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> To serve as a mediator between localities; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> To investigate, analyze, and make findings<\/span> of fact<\/span>, as directed by law<\/span>, as to the probable effect on the people residing in any area of the Commonwealth of any proposed action in that area:\n\t\t\ta. To annex territory,\n\t\t\tb. To have an area declared immune from annexation,\n\t\t\tc. To establish a town<\/span> or independent city<\/span>,\n\t\t\td. To settle or adjust boundaries between localities,\n\t\t\te. To make a transition from city<\/span> status to town<\/span> status,\n\t\t\tf. To make a transition from a county<\/span> to a city<\/span>,\n\t\t\tg. To consolidate two or more localities, at least one of which is a county<\/span>, into a city<\/span>, or\n\t\t\th. To enter into economic growth-sharing agreements among localities; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> To conduct investigations, analyses and determinations, in the sole discretion of the Commission, for the guidance of localities in the conduct of their affairs upon the request of such localities; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> To receive from all agencies, as defined in § 2.2-128<\/a>, assessments of all mandates<\/span> imposed on localities administered by such agencies. The assessments shall be conducted on a schedule to be set by the Commission, with the approval of the Governor and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, provided that the assessments shall not be required to be performed more than once every four years. The purpose of the assessments shall be to determine which mandates<\/span>, if any, may be altered or eliminated. If an assessment reveals that such mandates<\/span> may be altered or eliminated without interruption of local service delivery and without undue threat to the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Commonwealth, the Commission shall so advise the Governor and the General Assembly; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> To prepare and annually update a catalog of state and federal mandates<\/span> imposed on localities including, where available, a summary of the fiscal impact on localities of all new mandates<\/span>. All departments, agencies of government, and localities are directed to make available such information and assistance as the Commission may request in maintaining the catalog; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> [Expired]; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> To act in an oversight capacity and coordinate with the Auditor of Public Accounts for the purpose of determining whether a locality<\/span> in fiscal distress has taken appropriate action as provided in § 15.2-2512.1<\/a>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> To perform such other duties as may be imposed upon it, from time to time, by law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nGENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSION (\u00a7 15.2-2903)\n\nThe Commission shall have the following general powers and duties:\n\n1. To make regulations, including rules of procedure for the conducting of\nhearings;\n\n2. To keep a record of its proceedings and to be responsible for the custody and\npreservation of its papers and documents;\n\n3. To serve as a mediator between localities;\n\n4. To investigate, analyze, and make findings of fact, as directed by law, as to\nthe probable effect on the people residing in any area of the Commonwealth of\nany proposed action in that area:\n\t\t\ta. To annex territory,\n\t\t\tb. To have an area declared immune from annexation,\n\t\t\tc. To establish a town or independent city,\n\t\t\td. To settle or adjust boundaries between localities,\n\t\t\te. To make a transition from city status to town status,\n\t\t\tf. To make a transition from a county to a city,\n\t\t\tg. To consolidate two or more localities, at least one of which is a county,\ninto a city, or\n\t\t\th. To enter into economic growth-sharing agreements among localities;\n\n5. To conduct investigations, analyses and determinations, in the sole\ndiscretion of the Commission, for the guidance of localities in the conduct of\ntheir affairs upon the request of such localities;\n\n6. To receive from all agencies, as defined in § 2.2-128, assessments of\nall mandates imposed on localities administered by such agencies. The\nassessments shall be conducted on a schedule to be set by the Commission, with\nthe approval of the Governor and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, provided\nthat the assessments shall not be required to be performed more than once every\nfour years. The purpose of the assessments shall be to determine which mandates,\nif any, may be altered or eliminated. If an assessment reveals that such\nmandates may be altered or eliminated without interruption of local service\ndelivery and without undue threat to the health, safety and welfare of the\nresidents of the Commonwealth, the Commission shall so advise the Governor and\nthe General Assembly;\n\n7. To prepare and annually update a catalog of state and federal mandates\nimposed on localities including, where available, a summary of the fiscal impact\non localities of all new mandates. All departments, agencies of government, and\nlocalities are directed to make available such information and assistance as the\nCommission may request in maintaining the catalog;\n\n8. [Expired];\n\n9. To act in an oversight capacity and coordinate with the Auditor of Public\nAccounts for the purpose of determining whether a locality in fiscal distress\nhas taken appropriate action as provided in § 15.2-2512.1; and\n\n10. To perform such other duties as may be imposed upon it, from time to time,\nby law.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 85, \u00a7 15.1-945.3; 1980, c. 592; 1984, c. 444; 1985, cc. 397,\n478; 1988, c. 881; 1993, cc. 652, 723; 1997, c. 587; 2004, c. 234; 2011, c. 381;\n2014, c. 242; 2024, c. 426.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}