{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/2.2-2761.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/2.2-2761.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/2.2-2761.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/2.2-2761.html"}],"law_id":73377,"edition_id":1,"section_id":73377,"structure_id":15829,"section_number":"2.2-2761","catch_line":"Virginia Business Ready Sites Acquisition Program","history":"2023, c. 779.","full_text":"A\n\nThere is hereby established the Virginia Business Ready Sites Acquisition Program for the purpose of disbursing moneys from the Fund to (i) acquire or option eligible acquisition sites for the purpose of creating and maintaining a portfolio of project-ready sites to promote economic development in all regions of the Commonwealth, (ii) conduct site development activities to improve such sites in order to increase their marketability for large-scale economic development projects, or (iii) enter into project development agreements with private employers for large-scale economic development projects. Eligible acquisition sites may be acquired from public or private owners, provided that any such acquisition shall be a bona fide arm&#8217;s length transaction freely entered into by the parties and that such acquisition shall not involve any property or interests owned by a member of the General Assembly or by local government officials in the proposed site locality. Site acquisition activities, site development activities, and project development agreements shall be conducted in accordance with the guidelines, procedures, and objective criteria established pursuant to subsection C and the objective of the Program established in &#xA7; 2.2-2763.B\n\nAdministration of the Program shall be conducted by the Authority in cooperation with the Department in the manner provided by this subsection and subject to review by the Commission pursuant to \u00a7 2.2-2764.1\n\nThe Authority, in cooperation with the Department, shall be responsible for identifying potential eligible acquisition sites and initiating, on behalf of the Commonwealth and in a manner that protects the Commonwealth&#8217;s economic interests, the process of negotiating the purchase or option of a site. Any proposal for the purchase or option of a site shall be reviewed by the Department and approved by the Governor pursuant to &#xA7; 2.2-1149 prior to review of such proposal by the Commission pursuant to &#xA7; 2.2-2764 and prior to completing any such purchase or option of a site.2\n\nThe Department shall be responsible for completing the purchase or option of a site and holding the property or option on behalf of the Commonwealth. The Department shall be responsible for conducting all site development activities, in cooperation with the Authority.3\n\nThe Authority shall be responsible for marketing sites to private employers to enter into project development agreements for large-scale economic development projects.C\n\nThe Authority, in consultation with the Department and the Office of the Attorney General, shall establish guidelines, procedures, and objective criteria for conducting the activities described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subsection A and the division of responsibilities described in subsection B. Such guidelines, procedures, and objective criteria shall be designed to meet the objective of the Program described in &#xA7; 2.2-2763, shall include an overview of eligible expenses and payment schedules, including a detailed listing of administrative expenses eligible for reimbursement from the Fund, and shall be submitted to the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations and the House Committee on Appropriations, which may provide feedback on such guidelines, procedures, and objective criteria before they are established. The preparation of the guidelines shall be exempt from the requirements of Article 2 (&#xA7; 2.2-4006 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.D\n\nAny funds received from the sale or long-term lease of properties purchased pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited to the general fund.E\n\nPrior to the acquisition or optioning of any site pursuant to subsection B, the Authority and the Department shall notify the locality in which the site is located of the Commonwealth&#8217;s interest in purchasing or optioning the site. Upon receipt of such notice, the locality or its economic development authority may elect, within 14 days of receipt of such notice, to attempt to purchase or option such site in lieu of the Department. If the locality or its economic development authority elects to attempt to purchase or option such site, but does not within 90 days of such election either (i) purchase or option such site or (ii) have a contract in place indicating an intent to purchase or option such site, the Department may purchase the site pursuant to subsection B.F\n\nThe Authority shall report annually by November 1 on site acquisition activities, site development activities, and project development agreements. The report shall include total appropriations made or transferred to the Fund, an itemized list of administrative costs incurred by the Program, total acquisitions made, number and performance of project development agreements, cash balances, and balances available for future commitments. The Authority shall prepare the report required by this subsection in conjunction with the reports required under &#xA7; 2.2-2237.1.G\n\nThe Auditor of Public Accounts or his authorized representative shall audit the accounts of the Fund in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards as determined necessary by the Auditor of Public Accounts. The cost of such audit services shall be borne by the Fund.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":264050,"text":"There is hereby established the Virginia Business Ready Sites Acquisition Program for the purpose of disbursing moneys from the Fund to (i) acquire or option eligible acquisition sites for the purpose of creating and maintaining a portfolio of project-ready sites to promote economic development in all regions of the Commonwealth, (ii) conduct site development activities to improve such sites in order to increase their marketability for large-scale economic development projects, or (iii) enter into project development agreements with private employers for large-scale economic development projects. Eligible acquisition sites may be acquired from public or private owners, provided that any such acquisition shall be a bona fide arm&#8217;s length transaction freely entered into by the parties and that such acquisition shall not involve any property or interests owned by a member of the General Assembly or by local government officials in the proposed site locality. Site acquisition activities, site development activities, and project development agreements shall be conducted in accordance with the guidelines, procedures, and objective criteria established pursuant to subsection C and the objective of the Program established in &#xA7; 2.2-2763.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":264051,"text":"Administration of the Program shall be conducted by the Authority in cooperation with the Department in the manner provided by this subsection and subject to review by the Commission pursuant to \u00a7 2.2-2764.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":264052,"text":"The Authority, in cooperation with the Department, shall be responsible for identifying potential eligible acquisition sites and initiating, on behalf of the Commonwealth and in a manner that protects the Commonwealth&#8217;s economic interests, the process of negotiating the purchase or option of a site. Any proposal for the purchase or option of a site shall be reviewed by the Department and approved by the Governor pursuant to &#xA7; 2.2-1149 prior to review of such proposal by the Commission pursuant to &#xA7; 2.2-2764 and prior to completing any such purchase or option of a site.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":264053,"text":"The Department shall be responsible for completing the purchase or option of a site and holding the property or option on behalf of the Commonwealth. The Department shall be responsible for conducting all site development activities, in cooperation with the Authority.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":264054,"text":"The Authority shall be responsible for marketing sites to private employers to enter into project development agreements for large-scale economic development projects.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"C"},"5":{"id":264055,"text":"The Authority, in consultation with the Department and the Office of the Attorney General, shall establish guidelines, procedures, and objective criteria for conducting the activities described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subsection A and the division of responsibilities described in subsection B. Such guidelines, procedures, and objective criteria shall be designed to meet the objective of the Program described in &#xA7; 2.2-2763, shall include an overview of eligible expenses and payment schedules, including a detailed listing of administrative expenses eligible for reimbursement from the Fund, and shall be submitted to the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations and the House Committee on Appropriations, which may provide feedback on such guidelines, procedures, and objective criteria before they are established. The preparation of the guidelines shall be exempt from the requirements of Article 2 (&#xA7; 2.2-4006 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"D"},"6":{"id":264056,"text":"Any funds received from the sale or long-term lease of properties purchased pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited to the general fund.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"7":{"id":264057,"text":"Prior to the acquisition or optioning of any site pursuant to subsection B, the Authority and the Department shall notify the locality in which the site is located of the Commonwealth&#8217;s interest in purchasing or optioning the site. Upon receipt of such notice, the locality or its economic development authority may elect, within 14 days of receipt of such notice, to attempt to purchase or option such site in lieu of the Department. If the locality or its economic development authority elects to attempt to purchase or option such site, but does not within 90 days of such election either (i) purchase or option such site or (ii) have a contract in place indicating an intent to purchase or option such site, the Department may purchase the site pursuant to subsection B.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"8":{"id":264058,"text":"The Authority shall report annually by November 1 on site acquisition activities, site development activities, and project development agreements. The report shall include total appropriations made or transferred to the Fund, an itemized list of administrative costs incurred by the Program, total acquisitions made, number and performance of project development agreements, cash balances, and balances available for future commitments. The Authority shall prepare the report required by this subsection in conjunction with the reports required under &#xA7; 2.2-2237.1.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"9":{"id":264059,"text":"The Auditor of Public Accounts or his authorized representative shall audit the accounts of the Fund in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards as determined necessary by the Auditor of Public Accounts. The cost of such audit services shall be borne by the Fund.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15829,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Business Ready Sites Acquisition Fund and Program","identifier":"27.2","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12785,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:00:15","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:00:15","permalink":{"id":175711,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15829,"identifier":"27.2","token":"2.2\/I\/D\/27.2","url":"\/2.2\/I\/D\/27.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12785,"edition_id":1,"name":"State Authorities, Boards, Commissions, Councils, Foundations and Other Collegial Bodies","identifier":"D","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12784,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":173913,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12785,"identifier":"D","token":"2.2\/I\/D","url":"\/2.2\/I\/D\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12784,"edition_id":1,"name":"Organization of State Government","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12749,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":171455,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12784,"identifier":"I","token":"2.2\/I","url":"\/2.2\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12749,"edition_id":1,"name":"Administration of Government","identifier":"2.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":171453,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12749,"identifier":"2.2","token":"2.2","url":"\/2.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":61078,"structure_id":15829,"section_number":"2.2-2760","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/2.2-2760\/","token":"2.2\/I\/D\/27.2\/2.2-2760","metadata":false},{"id":73377,"structure_id":15829,"section_number":"2.2-2761","catch_line":"Virginia Business Ready Sites Acquisition Program","url":"\/2.2-2761\/","token":"2.2\/I\/D\/27.2\/2.2-2761","metadata":false},{"id":74183,"structure_id":15829,"section_number":"2.2-2762","catch_line":"Virginia Business Ready Sites Acquisition Fund","url":"\/2.2-2762\/","token":"2.2\/I\/D\/27.2\/2.2-2762","metadata":false},{"id":84105,"structure_id":15829,"section_number":"2.2-2763","catch_line":"Objective of the Program","url":"\/2.2-2763\/","token":"2.2\/I\/D\/27.2\/2.2-2763","metadata":false},{"id":71857,"structure_id":15829,"section_number":"2.2-2764","catch_line":"Review by MEI Commission","url":"\/2.2-2764\/","token":"2.2\/I\/D\/27.2\/2.2-2764","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":61078,"structure_id":15829,"section_number":"2.2-2760","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/2.2-2760\/","token":"2.2\/I\/D\/27.2\/2.2-2760","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":74183,"structure_id":15829,"section_number":"2.2-2762","catch_line":"Virginia Business Ready Sites Acquisition Fund","url":"\/2.2-2762\/","token":"2.2\/I\/D\/27.2\/2.2-2762","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/2.2-2761\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2023. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?231+ful+CHAP0779\">779<\/a> 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.<\/p>","references":[{"id":61078,"section_number":"2.2-2760","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2760\/"},{"id":74183,"section_number":"2.2-2762","catch_line":"Virginia Business Ready Sites Acquisition Fund","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2762\/"},{"id":71857,"section_number":"2.2-2764","catch_line":"Review by MEI Commission","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2764\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":75383,"section_number":"2.2-1149","catch_line":"Department to review proposed acquisitions of real property; approval by the Governor; exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-1149\/"},{"id":84105,"section_number":"2.2-2763","catch_line":"Objective of the Program","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2763\/"},{"id":71857,"section_number":"2.2-2764","catch_line":"Review by MEI Commission","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2764\/"},{"id":78729,"section_number":"2.2-4006","catch_line":"Exemptions from requirements of this article","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4006\/"}],"permalink":{"id":175717,"object_type":"law","relational_id":73377,"identifier":"2.2-2761","token":"2.2\/I\/D\/27.2\/2.2-2761","url":"\/2.2-2761\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/2.2-2761\/","token":"2.2\/I\/D\/27.2\/2.2-2761","dublin_core":{"Title":"Virginia Business Ready Sites Acquisition Program","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 2.2-2761","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> There is hereby established the Virginia Business Ready Sites Acquisition <span class=\"dictionary\">Program<\/span> for the purpose of disbursing moneys from the <span class=\"dictionary\">Fund<\/span> to (i) acquire or option <span class=\"dictionary\">eligible acquisition sites<\/span> for the purpose of creating and maintaining a portfolio of project-ready sites to promote economic development in all <span class=\"dictionary\">regions<\/span> of the Commonwealth, (ii) conduct <span class=\"dictionary\">site development activities<\/span> to improve such sites in <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> to increase their marketability for <span class=\"dictionary\">large-scale economic development projects<\/span>, or (iii) enter into <span class=\"dictionary\">project development agreements<\/span> with private employers for <span class=\"dictionary\">large-scale economic development projects<\/span>. <span class=\"dictionary\">Eligible acquisition sites<\/span> may be acquired from public or private owners, provided that any such acquisition shall be a bona fide arm&#8217;s length transaction freely entered into by the parties and that such acquisition shall not involve any property or interests owned by a member of the General Assembly or by local government officials in the proposed site locality. <span class=\"dictionary\">Site acquisition activities<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">site development activities<\/span>, and <span class=\"dictionary\">project development agreements<\/span> shall be conducted in accordance with the guidelines, procedures, and objective criteria established pursuant to subsection C and the objective of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Program<\/span> established in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Objective of the Program\" href=\"\/2.2-2763\/\">2.2-2763<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-264050\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/2.2-2761\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> Administration of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Program<\/span> shall be conducted by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Authority<\/span> in cooperation with the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> in the manner provided by this subsection and subject to review by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Commission<\/span> pursuant to \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Review by MEI Commission\" href=\"\/2.2-2764\/\">2.2-2764<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-264051\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/2.2-2761\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Authority<\/span>, in cooperation with the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span>, shall be responsible for identifying potential <span class=\"dictionary\">eligible acquisition sites<\/span> and initiating, on behalf of the Commonwealth and in a manner that protects the Commonwealth&#8217;s economic interests, the process of negotiating the purchase or option of a site. Any proposal for the purchase or option of a site shall be reviewed by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> and approved by the Governor pursuant to &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Department to review proposed acquisitions of real property; approval by the Governor; exceptions\" href=\"\/2.2-1149\/\">2.2-1149<\/a> prior to review of such proposal by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Commission<\/span> pursuant to &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Review by MEI Commission\" href=\"\/2.2-2764\/\">2.2-2764<\/a> and prior to completing any such purchase or option of a site. <a id=\"paragraph-264052\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/2.2-2761\/#B1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> shall be responsible for completing the purchase or option of a site and holding the property or option on behalf of the Commonwealth. The <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> shall be responsible for conducting all <span class=\"dictionary\">site development activities<\/span>, in cooperation with the <span class=\"dictionary\">Authority<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-264053\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/2.2-2761\/#B2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B3\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Authority<\/span> shall be responsible for marketing sites to private employers to enter into <span class=\"dictionary\">project development agreements<\/span> for <span class=\"dictionary\">large-scale economic development projects<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-264054\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/2.2-2761\/#B3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Authority<\/span>, in consultation with the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> and the Office of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Attorney General<\/span>, shall establish guidelines, procedures, and objective criteria for conducting the activities described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subsection A and the division of responsibilities described in subsection B. Such guidelines, procedures, and objective criteria shall be designed to meet the objective of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Program<\/span> described in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Objective of the Program\" href=\"\/2.2-2763\/\">2.2-2763<\/a>, shall include an overview of eligible expenses and payment <span class=\"dictionary\">schedules<\/span>, including a detailed listing of administrative expenses eligible for reimbursement from the <span class=\"dictionary\">Fund<\/span>, and shall be submitted to the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations and the House Committee on Appropriations, which may provide feedback on such guidelines, procedures, and objective criteria before they are established. The preparation of the guidelines shall be exempt from the requirements of Article 2 (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Exemptions from requirements of this article\" href=\"\/2.2-4006\/\">2.2-4006<\/a> et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act. <a id=\"paragraph-264055\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/2.2-2761\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> Any <span class=\"dictionary\">funds<\/span> received from the sale or long-term lease of properties purchased pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited to the general <span class=\"dictionary\">fund<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-264056\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/2.2-2761\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"E\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">E.<\/span> Prior to the acquisition or optioning of any site pursuant to subsection B, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Authority<\/span> and the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> shall notify the locality in which the site is located of the Commonwealth&#8217;s interest in purchasing or optioning the site. Upon receipt of such notice, the locality or its economic development <span class=\"dictionary\">authority<\/span> may elect, within 14 days of receipt of such notice, to attempt to purchase or option such site in lieu of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span>. If the locality or its economic development <span class=\"dictionary\">authority<\/span> elects to attempt to purchase or option such site, but does not within 90 days of such election either (i) purchase or option such site or (ii) have a <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span> in place indicating an <span class=\"dictionary\">intent<\/span> to purchase or option such site, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> may purchase the site pursuant to subsection B. <a id=\"paragraph-264057\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/2.2-2761\/#E\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"F\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">F.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Authority<\/span> shall report annually by November 1 on <span class=\"dictionary\">site acquisition activities<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">site development activities<\/span>, and <span class=\"dictionary\">project development agreements<\/span>. The report shall include total appropriations made or transferred to the <span class=\"dictionary\">Fund<\/span>, an itemized list of administrative costs incurred by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Program<\/span>, total acquisitions made, number and performance of <span class=\"dictionary\">project development agreements<\/span>, cash balances, and balances available for future commitments. The <span class=\"dictionary\">Authority<\/span> shall prepare the report required by this subsection in conjunction with the reports required under &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Board of directors to develop strategic plan for economic development; marketing plan; operational plan; submission\" href=\"\/2.2-2237.1\/\">2.2-2237.1<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-264058\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/2.2-2761\/#F\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"G\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">G.<\/span> The Auditor of Public Accounts or his authorized representative shall audit the accounts of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Fund<\/span> in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards as determined necessary by the Auditor of Public Accounts. The cost of such audit services shall be borne by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Fund<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-264059\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/2.2-2761\/#G\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nVIRGINIA BUSINESS READY SITES ACQUISITION PROGRAM (\u00a7 2.2-2761)\n\nA. There is hereby established the Virginia Business Ready Sites Acquisition\nProgram for the purpose of disbursing moneys from the Fund to (i) acquire or\noption eligible acquisition sites for the purpose of creating and maintaining a\nportfolio of project-ready sites to promote economic development in all regions\nof the Commonwealth, (ii) conduct site development activities to improve such\nsites in order to increase their marketability for large-scale economic\ndevelopment projects, or (iii) enter into project development agreements with\nprivate employers for large-scale economic development projects. Eligible\nacquisition sites may be acquired from public or private owners, provided that\nany such acquisition shall be a bona fide arm&#8217;s length transaction freely\nentered into by the parties and that such acquisition shall not involve any\nproperty or interests owned by a member of the General Assembly or by local\ngovernment officials in the proposed site locality. Site acquisition activities,\nsite development activities, and project development agreements shall be\nconducted in accordance with the guidelines, procedures, and objective criteria\nestablished pursuant to subsection C and the objective of the Program\nestablished in &#xA7; 2.2-2763.\n\nB. Administration of the Program shall be conducted by the Authority in\ncooperation with the Department in the manner provided by this subsection and\nsubject to review by the Commission pursuant to \u00a7 2.2-2764.\n\n   1. The Authority, in cooperation with the Department, shall be responsible for\n   identifying potential eligible acquisition sites and initiating, on behalf of\n   the Commonwealth and in a manner that protects the Commonwealth&#8217;s\n   economic interests, the process of negotiating the purchase or option of a\n   site. Any proposal for the purchase or option of a site shall be reviewed by\n   the Department and approved by the Governor pursuant to &#xA7; 2.2-1149 prior\n   to review of such proposal by the Commission pursuant to &#xA7; 2.2-2764 and\n   prior to completing any such purchase or option of a site.\n\n   2. The Department shall be responsible for completing the purchase or option\n   of a site and holding the property or option on behalf of the Commonwealth.\n   The Department shall be responsible for conducting all site development\n   activities, in cooperation with the Authority.\n\n   3. The Authority shall be responsible for marketing sites to private employers\n   to enter into project development agreements for large-scale economic\n   development projects.\n\nC. The Authority, in consultation with the Department and the Office of the\nAttorney General, shall establish guidelines, procedures, and objective criteria\nfor conducting the activities described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of\nsubsection A and the division of responsibilities described in subsection B.\nSuch guidelines, procedures, and objective criteria shall be designed to meet\nthe objective of the Program described in &#xA7; 2.2-2763, shall include an\noverview of eligible expenses and payment schedules, including a detailed\nlisting of administrative expenses eligible for reimbursement from the Fund, and\nshall be submitted to the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations and the\nHouse Committee on Appropriations, which may provide feedback on such\nguidelines, procedures, and objective criteria before they are established. The\npreparation of the guidelines shall be exempt from the requirements of Article 2\n(&#xA7; 2.2-4006 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.\n\nD. Any funds received from the sale or long-term lease of properties purchased\npursuant to this chapter shall be deposited to the general fund.\n\nE. Prior to the acquisition or optioning of any site pursuant to subsection B,\nthe Authority and the Department shall notify the locality in which the site is\nlocated of the Commonwealth&#8217;s interest in purchasing or optioning the\nsite. Upon receipt of such notice, the locality or its economic development\nauthority may elect, within 14 days of receipt of such notice, to attempt to\npurchase or option such site in lieu of the Department. If the locality or its\neconomic development authority elects to attempt to purchase or option such\nsite, but does not within 90 days of such election either (i) purchase or option\nsuch site or (ii) have a contract in place indicating an intent to purchase or\noption such site, the Department may purchase the site pursuant to subsection B.\n\nF. The Authority shall report annually by November 1 on site acquisition\nactivities, site development activities, and project development agreements. The\nreport shall include total appropriations made or transferred to the Fund, an\nitemized list of administrative costs incurred by the Program, total\nacquisitions made, number and performance of project development agreements,\ncash balances, and balances available for future commitments. The Authority\nshall prepare the report required by this subsection in conjunction with the\nreports required under &#xA7; 2.2-2237.1.\n\nG. The Auditor of Public Accounts or his authorized representative shall audit\nthe accounts of the Fund in accordance with generally accepted auditing\nstandards as determined necessary by the Auditor of Public Accounts. The cost of\nsuch audit services shall be borne by the Fund.\n\nHISTORY: 2023, c. 779.","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}}