{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/2.2-401.01.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/2.2-401.01.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/2.2-401.01.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/2.2-401.01.html"}],"law_id":79241,"edition_id":1,"section_id":79241,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-401.01","catch_line":"Liaison to Virginia Indian tribes; Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation; Virginia Indigenous People’s Trust Fund","history":"2014, c. 582; 2016, c. 746; 2020, cc. 1197, 1248; 2024, c. 830.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Secretary of the Commonwealth shall:1\n\nServe as the Governor’s liaison to the Virginia Indian tribes;2\n\nDesignate an Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation pursuant to subsection B; and3\n\nReport annually on the status of Indian tribes in Virginia.B\n\nThe Secretary of the Commonwealth shall designate, in consultation with and upon the advice of federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth, an Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation (the Ombudsman). The Ombudsman shall:1\n\nFacilitate communication between federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth and relevant state agencies and local governments for consultation on environmental, cultural, and historical permits and reviews;2\n\nDevelop a list of localities in ongoing consultation with the federally recognized Tribal Nations in which federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth shall be consulted regarding actions and projects pursuant to §§ 10.1-104.02, 10.1-1186.3:1, 10.1-2205.1, and 28.2-104.01;3\n\nAssist the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Historic Resources, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission in developing policies and procedures to ensure meaningful and appropriate consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth regarding permits and reviews; and4\n\nMake recommendations to the Governor about additional permits and reviews that, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, should require consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth.C\n\nThe Secretary of the Commonwealth may establish a Virginia Indian advisory board to assist the Secretary in reviewing applications seeking recognition as a Virginia Indian tribe and to make recommendations to the Secretary, the Governor, and the General Assembly on such applications and other matters relating to recognition as follows:1\n\nThe members of any such board shall be composed of no more than seven members to be appointed by the Secretary as follows: at least three of the members shall be members of Virginia recognized tribes to represent the Virginia Indian community, and one nonlegislative citizen member shall represent the Commonwealth’s scholarly community. The Librarian of Virginia, the Director of the Department of Historic Resources, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, or their designees, shall serve ex officio with voting privileges. Nonlegislative citizen members of any such board shall be citizens of the Commonwealth. Ex officio members shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for a term of two years. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. All members may be reappointed. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall appoint a chairperson from among the members for a two-year term. Members shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825.2\n\nAny such board shall have the following powers and duties:\n\t\t\t\ta. Establish guidance for documentation required to meet the criteria for full recognition of the Virginia Indian tribes that is consistent with the principles and requirements of federal tribal recognition;\n\t\t\t\tb. Establish a process for accepting and reviewing all applications for full tribal recognition;\n\t\t\t\tc. Appoint and establish a workgroup on tribal recognition composed of nonlegislative citizens at large who have knowledge of Virginia Indian history and current status. Such workgroup (i) may be activated in any year in which an application for full tribal recognition has been submitted and in other years as deemed appropriate by any such board and (ii) shall include at a minimum a genealogist and at least two scholars with recognized familiarity with Virginia Indian tribes. No member of the workgroup shall be associated in any way with the applicant. Members of the workgroup shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825;\n\t\t\t\td. Solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, grants, donations, bequests, or other funds or real or personal property for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the board;\n\t\t\t\te. Make recommendations to the Secretary for full tribal recognition based on the findings of the workgroup and the board; and\n\t\t\t\tf. Perform such other duties, functions, and activities as may be necessary to facilitate and implement the objectives of this subsection.D\n\nThere is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Indigenous People’s Trust Fund, referred to in this section as “the Fund.” The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All funds appropriated for such purpose, any tax revenue accruing to the Fund pursuant to § 58.1-4125, and any gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. After payment of the costs of administration of the Fund, moneys in the Fund shall be used to make disbursements on a quarterly basis in equal amounts to each of the six Virginia Indian tribes federally recognized under P.L. 115-121 of 2018. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":283715,"text":"The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":283716,"text":"Serve as the Governor’s liaison to the Virginia Indian tribes;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":283717,"text":"Designate an Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation pursuant to subsection B; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":283718,"text":"Report annually on the status of Indian tribes in Virginia.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":283719,"text":"The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall designate, in consultation with and upon the advice of federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth, an Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation (the Ombudsman). The Ombudsman shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"B1"},"5":{"id":283720,"text":"Facilitate communication between federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth and relevant state agencies and local governments for consultation on environmental, cultural, and historical permits and reviews;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"6":{"id":283721,"text":"Develop a list of localities in ongoing consultation with the federally recognized Tribal Nations in which federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth shall be consulted regarding actions and projects pursuant to §§ 10.1-104.02, 10.1-1186.3:1, 10.1-2205.1, and 28.2-104.01;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"7":{"id":283722,"text":"Assist the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Historic Resources, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission in developing policies and procedures to ensure meaningful and appropriate consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth regarding permits and reviews; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"8":{"id":283723,"text":"Make recommendations to the Governor about additional permits and reviews that, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, should require consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"C"},"9":{"id":283724,"text":"The Secretary of the Commonwealth may establish a Virginia Indian advisory board to assist the Secretary in reviewing applications seeking recognition as a Virginia Indian tribe and to make recommendations to the Secretary, the Governor, and the General Assembly on such applications and other matters relating to recognition as follows:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"C1"},"10":{"id":283725,"text":"The members of any such board shall be composed of no more than seven members to be appointed by the Secretary as follows: at least three of the members shall be members of Virginia recognized tribes to represent the Virginia Indian community, and one nonlegislative citizen member shall represent the Commonwealth’s scholarly community. The Librarian of Virginia, the Director of the Department of Historic Resources, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, or their designees, shall serve ex officio with voting privileges. Nonlegislative citizen members of any such board shall be citizens of the Commonwealth. Ex officio members shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for a term of two years. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. All members may be reappointed. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall appoint a chairperson from among the members for a two-year term. Members shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"11":{"id":283726,"text":"Any such board shall have the following powers and duties:\n\t\t\t\ta. Establish guidance for documentation required to meet the criteria for full recognition of the Virginia Indian tribes that is consistent with the principles and requirements of federal tribal recognition;\n\t\t\t\tb. Establish a process for accepting and reviewing all applications for full tribal recognition;\n\t\t\t\tc. Appoint and establish a workgroup on tribal recognition composed of nonlegislative citizens at large who have knowledge of Virginia Indian history and current status. Such workgroup (i) may be activated in any year in which an application for full tribal recognition has been submitted and in other years as deemed appropriate by any such board and (ii) shall include at a minimum a genealogist and at least two scholars with recognized familiarity with Virginia Indian tribes. No member of the workgroup shall be associated in any way with the applicant. Members of the workgroup shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825;\n\t\t\t\td. Solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, grants, donations, bequests, or other funds or real or personal property for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the board;\n\t\t\t\te. Make recommendations to the Secretary for full tribal recognition based on the findings of the workgroup and the board; and\n\t\t\t\tf. Perform such other duties, functions, and activities as may be necessary to facilitate and implement the objectives of this subsection.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"D"},"12":{"id":283727,"text":"There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Indigenous People’s Trust Fund, referred to in this section as “the Fund.” The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All funds appropriated for such purpose, any tax revenue accruing to the Fund pursuant to § 58.1-4125, and any gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. After payment of the costs of administration of the Fund, moneys in the Fund shall be used to make disbursements on a quarterly basis in equal amounts to each of the six Virginia Indian tribes federally recognized under P.L. 115-121 of 2018. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13134,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":5,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13133,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":172039,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13134,"identifier":"1","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1","url":"\/2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13133,"edition_id":1,"name":"Secretary of the Commonwealth","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13132,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":172037,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13133,"identifier":"4","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4","url":"\/2.2\/I\/A\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13132,"edition_id":1,"name":"Office of the Governor","identifier":"A","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12784,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":171457,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13132,"identifier":"A","token":"2.2\/I\/A","url":"\/2.2\/I\/A\/","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":80838,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-400","catch_line":"Appointment and term of office; filling vacancies; oath","url":"\/2.2-400\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-400","metadata":false},{"id":54771,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-401","catch_line":"Ex officio Secretary to Governor; in charge of division of records","url":"\/2.2-401\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-401","metadata":false},{"id":79241,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-401.01","catch_line":"Liaison to Virginia Indian tribes; Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation; Virginia Indigenous People's Trust Fund","url":"\/2.2-401.01\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-401.01","metadata":false},{"id":68298,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-401.1","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/2.2-401.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-401.1","metadata":false},{"id":76152,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-402","catch_line":"Keeper of seals of Commonwealth; duties generally","url":"\/2.2-402\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-402","metadata":false},{"id":77648,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-403","catch_line":"Compilation of compacts and related records and reports","url":"\/2.2-403\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-403","metadata":false},{"id":82210,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-404","catch_line":"Certifying records for use in other states","url":"\/2.2-404\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-404","metadata":false},{"id":67854,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-405","catch_line":"Secretary of Commonwealth to present list of vacancies to arise on commissions, boards, etc","url":"\/2.2-405\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-405","metadata":false},{"id":54163,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-406","catch_line":"Secretary of Commonwealth to report list of interim appointments requiring confirmation; other appointments","url":"\/2.2-406\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-406","metadata":false},{"id":54303,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-406.1","catch_line":"Secretary of Commonwealth to maintain and transfer records on collegial bodies to the Governor-elect","url":"\/2.2-406.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-406.1","metadata":false},{"id":85688,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-407","catch_line":"Reserved","url":"\/2.2-407\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-407","metadata":false},{"id":79553,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-408","catch_line":"Collection of information relevant to boundary changes from governmental subdivisions of Commonwealth","url":"\/2.2-408\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-408","metadata":false},{"id":69186,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-409","catch_line":"Secretary of the Commonwealth","url":"\/2.2-409\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-409","metadata":false},{"id":72766,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-410","catch_line":"Appointment of assistants; deputy to act in absence of Secretary; notice to Governor","url":"\/2.2-410\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-410","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":54771,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-401","catch_line":"Ex officio Secretary to Governor; in charge of division of records","url":"\/2.2-401\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-401","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":68298,"structure_id":13134,"section_number":"2.2-401.1","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/2.2-401.1\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-401.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/2.2-401.01\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2014. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 582<\/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. It has been modified 3 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 2016, chapter 746<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 1197<\/a> and 1248<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 830<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":83857,"section_number":"10.1-1003","catch_line":"Permits for excavation and scientific investigation; how obtained; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1003\/"},{"id":82104,"section_number":"10.1-104.02","catch_line":"Policies for consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-104.02\/"},{"id":57009,"section_number":"10.1-1186.3:1","catch_line":"Policies for consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1186.3_1\/"},{"id":64699,"section_number":"10.1-1188","catch_line":"State agencies to submit environmental impact reports on major projects","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1188\/"},{"id":71292,"section_number":"10.1-2205.1","catch_line":"Policies for consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-2205.1\/"},{"id":53977,"section_number":"28.2-104.01","catch_line":"Policies for consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/28.2-104.01\/"},{"id":71170,"section_number":"56-46.1","catch_line":"Commission to consider environmental, economic, and improvements in service reliability factors in approving construction of electrical utility facilities; approval required for construction of certain electrical transmission lines; notice and hearings","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-46.1\/"},{"id":62679,"section_number":"62.1-266","catch_line":"Ground water withdrawal permits","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-266\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":82104,"section_number":"10.1-104.02","catch_line":"Policies for consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-104.02\/"},{"id":57009,"section_number":"10.1-1186.3:1","catch_line":"Policies for consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1186.3_1\/"},{"id":71292,"section_number":"10.1-2205.1","catch_line":"Policies for consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-2205.1\/"},{"id":71377,"section_number":"2.2-2813","catch_line":"Definitions; compensation and expense payments from state funds for service on collegial bodies","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2813\/"},{"id":73173,"section_number":"2.2-2825","catch_line":"Reimbursement for certain travel expenditures; restrictions on reimbursement","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2825\/"},{"id":53977,"section_number":"28.2-104.01","catch_line":"Policies for consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/28.2-104.01\/"},{"id":79070,"section_number":"58.1-4125","catch_line":"Gaming Proceeds Fund","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-4125\/"}],"permalink":{"id":172049,"object_type":"law","relational_id":79241,"identifier":"2.2-401.01","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-401.01","url":"\/2.2-401.01\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/2.2-401.01\/","token":"2.2\/I\/A\/4\/1\/2.2-401.01","dublin_core":{"Title":"Liaison to Virginia Indian tribes; Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation; Virginia Indigenous People’s Trust Fund","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 2.2-401.01","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Serve as the Governor’s liaison to the Virginia Indian tribes; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Designate an Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation pursuant to subsection B; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Report annually on the status of Indian tribes in Virginia. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall designate, in consultation with and upon the advice of federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth, an Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation (the Ombudsman). The Ombudsman shall: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Facilitate communication between federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth and relevant state agencies and local governments for consultation on environmental, cultural, and historical permits and reviews; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Develop a list of localities in ongoing consultation with the federally recognized Tribal Nations in which federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth shall be consulted regarding actions and projects pursuant to §§ 10.1-104.02<\/a>, 10.1-1186.3:1<\/a>, 10.1-2205.1<\/a>, and 28.2-104.01<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Assist the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Historic Resources, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission in developing policies and procedures to ensure meaningful and appropriate consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth regarding permits and reviews; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Make recommendations to the Governor about additional permits and reviews that, in the opinion<\/span> of the Ombudsman, should require consultation with federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Secretary of the Commonwealth may establish a Virginia Indian advisory board to assist the Secretary in reviewing applications seeking recognition as a Virginia Indian tribe and to make recommendations to the Secretary, the Governor, and the General Assembly on such applications and other matters relating to recognition as follows: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The members of any such board shall be composed of no more than seven members to be appointed by the Secretary as follows: at least three of the members shall be members of Virginia recognized tribes to represent the Virginia Indian community, and one nonlegislative citizen member shall represent the Commonwealth’s scholarly community. The Librarian of Virginia, the Director of the Department of Historic Resources, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, or their designees, shall serve ex officio with voting privileges<\/span>. Nonlegislative citizen members of any such board shall be citizens of the Commonwealth. Ex officio members shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for a term of two years. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. All members may be reappointed. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall appoint a chairperson from among the members for a two-year term. Members shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813<\/a> and 2.2-2825<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Any such board shall have the following powers and duties:\n\t\t\t\ta. Establish guidance for documentation required to meet the criteria for full recognition of the Virginia Indian tribes that is consistent with the principles and requirements of federal tribal recognition;\n\t\t\t\tb. Establish a process for accepting and reviewing all applications for full tribal recognition;\n\t\t\t\tc. Appoint and establish a workgroup on tribal recognition composed of nonlegislative citizens at large who have knowledge of Virginia Indian history and current status. Such workgroup (i) may be activated in any year in which an application for full tribal recognition has been submitted and in other years as deemed appropriate by any such board and (ii) shall include at a minimum a genealogist and at least two scholars with recognized familiarity with Virginia Indian tribes. No member of the workgroup shall be associated in any way with the applicant. Members of the workgroup shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813<\/a> and 2.2-2825<\/a>;\n\t\t\t\td. Solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, grants, donations, bequests, or other funds or real or personal property for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the board;\n\t\t\t\te. Make recommendations to the Secretary for full tribal recognition based on the findings<\/span> of the workgroup and the board; and\n\t\t\t\tf. Perform such other duties, functions, and activities as may be necessary to facilitate and implement the objectives of this subsection. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Indigenous People’s Trust Fund, referred to in this section as “the Fund.” The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All funds appropriated for such purpose, any tax revenue accruing to the Fund pursuant to § 58.1-4125<\/a>, and any gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. After payment of the costs of administration of the Fund, moneys in the Fund shall be used to make disbursements on a quarterly basis in equal amounts to each of the six Virginia Indian tribes federally recognized under P.L. 115-121 of 2018. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLIAISON TO VIRGINIA INDIAN TRIBES; OMBUDSMAN FOR TRIBAL CONSULTATION; VIRGINIA\nINDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S TRUST FUND (\u00a7 2.2-401.01)\n\nA. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall:\n\n 1. Serve as the Governor’s liaison to the Virginia Indian tribes;\n\n 2. Designate an Ombudsman for Tribal Consultation pursuant to subsection B;\n and\n\n 3. Report annually on the status of Indian tribes in Virginia.\n\nB. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall designate, in consultation with and\nupon the advice of federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth, an\nOmbudsman for Tribal Consultation (the Ombudsman). The Ombudsman shall:\n\n 1. Facilitate communication between federally recognized Tribal Nations in the\n Commonwealth and relevant state agencies and local governments for\n consultation on environmental, cultural, and historical permits and reviews;\n\n 2. Develop a list of localities in ongoing consultation with the federally\n recognized Tribal Nations in which federally recognized Tribal Nations in the\n Commonwealth shall be consulted regarding actions and projects pursuant to\n §§ 10.1-104.02, 10.1-1186.3:1, 10.1-2205.1, and 28.2-104.01;\n\n 3. Assist the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of\n Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Historic Resources, and the\n Virginia Marine Resources Commission in developing policies and procedures to\n ensure meaningful and appropriate consultation with federally recognized\n Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth regarding permits and reviews; and\n\n 4. Make recommendations to the Governor about additional permits and reviews\n that, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, should require consultation with\n federally recognized Tribal Nations in the Commonwealth.\n\nC. The Secretary of the Commonwealth may establish a Virginia Indian advisory\nboard to assist the Secretary in reviewing applications seeking recognition as a\nVirginia Indian tribe and to make recommendations to the Secretary, the\nGovernor, and the General Assembly on such applications and other matters\nrelating to recognition as follows:\n\n 1. The members of any such board shall be composed of no more than seven\n members to be appointed by the Secretary as follows: at least three of the\n members shall be members of Virginia recognized tribes to represent the\n Virginia Indian community, and one nonlegislative citizen member shall\n represent the Commonwealth’s scholarly community. The Librarian of\n Virginia, the Director of the Department of Historic Resources, and the\n Superintendent of Public Instruction, or their designees, shall serve ex\n officio with voting privileges. Nonlegislative citizen members of any such\n board shall be citizens of the Commonwealth. Ex officio members shall serve\n terms coincident with their terms of office. Nonlegislative citizen members\n shall be appointed for a term of two years. Appointments to fill vacancies,\n other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. All\n members may be reappointed. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall appoint a\n chairperson from among the members for a two-year term. Members shall be\n reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance\n of their duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825.\n\n 2. Any such board shall have the following powers and duties:\n \t\t\t\ta. Establish guidance for documentation required to meet the criteria for\n full recognition of the Virginia Indian tribes that is consistent with the\n principles and requirements of federal tribal recognition;\n \t\t\t\tb. Establish a process for accepting and reviewing all applications for\n full tribal recognition;\n \t\t\t\tc. Appoint and establish a workgroup on tribal recognition composed of\n nonlegislative citizens at large who have knowledge of Virginia Indian history\n and current status. Such workgroup (i) may be activated in any year in which\n an application for full tribal recognition has been submitted and in other\n years as deemed appropriate by any such board and (ii) shall include at a\n minimum a genealogist and at least two scholars with recognized familiarity\n with Virginia Indian tribes. No member of the workgroup shall be associated in\n any way with the applicant. Members of the workgroup shall be reimbursed for\n reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties\n as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825;\n \t\t\t\td. Solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, grants, donations,\n bequests, or other funds or real or personal property for the purpose of\n aiding or facilitating the work of the board;\n \t\t\t\te. Make recommendations to the Secretary for full tribal recognition based\n on the findings of the workgroup and the board; and\n \t\t\t\tf. Perform such other duties, functions, and activities as may be\n necessary to facilitate and implement the objectives of this subsection.\n\nD. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to\nbe known as the Virginia Indigenous People’s Trust Fund, referred to in\nthis section as “the Fund.” The Fund shall be established on the\nbooks of the Comptroller. All funds appropriated for such purpose, any tax\nrevenue accruing to the Fund pursuant to § 58.1-4125, and any gifts,\ndonations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf shall be\npaid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys\nin the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining\nin the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall\nnot revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. After payment of\nthe costs of administration of the Fund, moneys in the Fund shall be used to\nmake disbursements on a quarterly basis in equal amounts to each of the six\nVirginia Indian tribes federally recognized under P.L. 115-121 of 2018.\nExpenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State\nTreasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by\nthe Secretary of the Commonwealth.\n\nHISTORY: 2014, c. 582; 2016, c. 746; 2020, cc. 1197, 1248; 2024, c. 830.","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}}