{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/44-146.15.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/44-146.15.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/44-146.15.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/44-146.15.html"}],"law_id":56507,"edition_id":1,"section_id":56507,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.15","catch_line":"Construction of chapter","history":"1973, c. 260; 2000, c. 309; 2006, c. 458; 2012, cc. 42, 158.","full_text":"Nothing in this chapter is to be construed to:\n\n1\n\nLimit, modify, or abridge the authority of the Governor to exercise any powers vested in him under other laws of this Commonwealth independent of, or in conjunction with, any provisions of this chapter;2\n\nInterfere with dissemination of news or comment on public affairs; but any communications facility or organization, including, but not limited to, radio and television stations, wire services, and newspapers, may be required to transmit or print public service messages furnishing information or instructions in connection with actual or pending disaster;3\n\nEmpower the Governor, any political subdivision, or any other governmental authority to in any way limit or prohibit the rights of the people to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by Article I, Section 13 of the Constitution of Virginia or the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, including the otherwise lawful possession, carrying, transportation, sale, or transfer of firearms except to the extent necessary to ensure public safety in any place or facility designated or used by the Governor, any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, or any other governmental entity as an emergency shelter or for the purpose of sheltering persons;4\n\nAffect the jurisdiction or responsibilities of police forces, firefighting forces, units of the armed forces of the United States or any personnel thereof, when on active duty; but state, local and interjurisdictional agencies for emergency services shall place reliance upon such forces in the event of declared disasters; or5\n\nInterfere with the course of conduct of a labor dispute except that actions otherwise authorized by this chapter or other laws may be taken when necessary to forestall or mitigate imminent or existing danger to public health or safety.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":206850,"text":"Nothing in this chapter is to be construed to:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":206851,"text":"Limit, modify, or abridge the authority of the Governor to exercise any powers vested in him under other laws of this Commonwealth independent of, or in conjunction with, any provisions of this chapter;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":206852,"text":"Interfere with dissemination of news or comment on public affairs; but any communications facility or organization, including, but not limited to, radio and television stations, wire services, and newspapers, may be required to transmit or print public service messages furnishing information or instructions in connection with actual or pending disaster;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":206853,"text":"Empower the Governor, any political subdivision, or any other governmental authority to in any way limit or prohibit the rights of the people to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by Article I, Section 13 of the Constitution of Virginia or the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, including the otherwise lawful possession, carrying, transportation, sale, or transfer of firearms except to the extent necessary to ensure public safety in any place or facility designated or used by the Governor, any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, or any other governmental entity as an emergency shelter or for the purpose of sheltering persons;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":206854,"text":"Affect the jurisdiction or responsibilities of police forces, firefighting forces, units of the armed forces of the United States or any personnel thereof, when on active duty; but state, local and interjurisdictional agencies for emergency services shall place reliance upon such forces in the event of declared disasters; or","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":206855,"text":"Interfere with the course of conduct of a labor dispute except that actions otherwise authorized by this chapter or other laws may be taken when necessary to forestall or mitigate imminent or existing danger to public health or safety.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14302,"edition_id":1,"name":"Emergency Services and Disaster Law","identifier":"3.2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13446,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:39","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:39","permalink":{"id":222283,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14302,"identifier":"3.2","token":"44\/3.2","url":"\/44\/3.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13446,"edition_id":1,"name":"Military and Emergency Laws","identifier":"44","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:54","permalink":{"id":221549,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13446,"identifier":"44","token":"44","url":"\/44\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":83808,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.13","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/44-146.13\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.13","metadata":false},{"id":65115,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.14","catch_line":"Findings of General Assembly","url":"\/44-146.14\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.14","metadata":false},{"id":56507,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.15","catch_line":"Construction of chapter","url":"\/44-146.15\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.15","metadata":false},{"id":65984,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.16","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/44-146.16\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.16","metadata":false},{"id":78828,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.17","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Governor","url":"\/44-146.17\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.17","metadata":false},{"id":73003,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.17:1","catch_line":"Transmittal to General Assembly of rules, regulations, and orders","url":"\/44-146.17_1\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.17_1","metadata":false},{"id":62120,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.17:1.1","catch_line":"Certain emergency orders; additional requirements","url":"\/44-146.17_1.1\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.17_1.1","metadata":false},{"id":74379,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.17:2","catch_line":"Annual statewide drill","url":"\/44-146.17_2\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.17_2","metadata":false},{"id":55576,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.18","catch_line":"Department of Emergency Management; administration and operational control; coordinator and other personnel; powers and duties","url":"\/44-146.18\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.18","metadata":false},{"id":70134,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.18:1","catch_line":"Virginia Disaster Response Funds disbursements; reimbursements","url":"\/44-146.18_1\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.18_1","metadata":false},{"id":71648,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.18:2","catch_line":"Authority of Coordinator of Emergency Management in undeclared emergency","url":"\/44-146.18_2\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.18_2","metadata":false},{"id":69158,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.18:3","catch_line":"First informer broadcasters; coordination with Department of Emergency Management","url":"\/44-146.18_3\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.18_3","metadata":false},{"id":84404,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.18:4","catch_line":"State Coordinator of Emergency Management responsible for annual Virginia Comprehensive Emergency Management Report","url":"\/44-146.18_4\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.18_4","metadata":false},{"id":59542,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.18:5","catch_line":"Division of Public Safety Communications established; appointment of Virginia Public Safety Communications Coordinator; duties of Division","url":"\/44-146.18_5\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.18_5","metadata":false},{"id":63764,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.18:6","catch_line":"Geographic Information Network Division established; powers and duties; Division Coordinator","url":"\/44-146.18_6\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.18_6","metadata":false},{"id":70812,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.18:7","catch_line":"GIS Fund created","url":"\/44-146.18_7\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.18_7","metadata":false},{"id":55832,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.18:8","catch_line":"Additional powers and duties of the State Coordinator of Emergency Management","url":"\/44-146.18_8\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.18_8","metadata":false},{"id":86221,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.18:9","catch_line":"Nonstock corporation to assist in the development of GIS data","url":"\/44-146.18_9\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.18_9","metadata":false},{"id":85193,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.19","catch_line":"Powers and duties of political subdivisions","url":"\/44-146.19\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.19","metadata":false},{"id":78856,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.20","catch_line":"Joint action by political subdivisions","url":"\/44-146.20\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.20","metadata":false},{"id":67566,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.21","catch_line":"Declaration of local emergency","url":"\/44-146.21\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.21","metadata":false},{"id":70539,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.22","catch_line":"Development of measures to prevent or reduce harmful consequences of disasters; disclosure of information","url":"\/44-146.22\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.22","metadata":false},{"id":76000,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.23","catch_line":"Immunity from liability","url":"\/44-146.23\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.23","metadata":false},{"id":62719,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.24","catch_line":"Cooperation of public agencies","url":"\/44-146.24\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.24","metadata":false},{"id":67520,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.25","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/44-146.25\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.25","metadata":false},{"id":76909,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.26","catch_line":"Duties of emergency management organizations","url":"\/44-146.26\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.26","metadata":false},{"id":75520,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.27","catch_line":"Supplementing federal funds; assistance of federal agencies; acceptance of gifts and services; appropriations by local governing bodies","url":"\/44-146.27\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.27","metadata":false},{"id":75418,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.28","catch_line":"Authority of Governor and agencies under his control in declared state of emergency","url":"\/44-146.28\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.28","metadata":false},{"id":83794,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.28:1","catch_line":"Compact enacted into law; terms","url":"\/44-146.28_1\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.28_1","metadata":false},{"id":86962,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.28:2","catch_line":"Disaster relief assistance by out-of-state businesses and employees","url":"\/44-146.28_2\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.28_2","metadata":false},{"id":66386,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.29","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/44-146.29\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.29","metadata":false},{"id":72455,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.29:1","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/44-146.29_1\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.29_1","metadata":false},{"id":70917,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.29:3","catch_line":"Emergency Shelters Upgrade Assistance Grant Fund","url":"\/44-146.29_3\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.29_3","metadata":false},{"id":84353,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.29:4","catch_line":"Disconnection suspension for certain utilities","url":"\/44-146.29_4\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.29_4","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":65115,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.14","catch_line":"Findings of General Assembly","url":"\/44-146.14\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.14","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":65984,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.16","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/44-146.16\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.16","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/44-146.15\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1973. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 260 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 1973 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. 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 2000, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?001+ful+CHAP0309\">309<\/a>; in 2006, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?061+ful+CHAP0458\">458<\/a>; in 2012, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?121+ful+CHAP0042\">42<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?121+ful+CHAP0158\">158<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":222293,"object_type":"law","relational_id":56507,"identifier":"44-146.15","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.15","url":"\/44-146.15\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/44-146.15\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.15","dublin_core":{"Title":"Construction of chapter","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 44-146.15","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Nothing in this chapter is to be construed to:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> Limit, modify, or abridge the authority of the Governor to exercise any powers vested in him under other <span class=\"dictionary\">laws<\/span> of this Commonwealth independent of, or in conjunction with, any provisions of this chapter; <a id=\"paragraph-206851\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/44-146.15\/#1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"2\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> Interfere with dissemination of news or comment on public affairs; but any communications facility or organization, including, but not limited to, radio and television stations, wire services, and newspapers, may be required to transmit or print public service messages furnishing information or instructions in connection with actual or pending <span class=\"dictionary\">disaster<\/span>; <a id=\"paragraph-206852\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/44-146.15\/#2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"3\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> Empower the Governor, any <span class=\"dictionary\">political subdivision<\/span>, or any other governmental authority to in any way limit or prohibit the rights of the people to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by Article I, Section 13 of the Constitution of Virginia or the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, including the otherwise lawful <span class=\"dictionary\">possession<\/span>, carrying, transportation, sale, or transfer of firearms except to the extent necessary to ensure public safety in any place or facility designated or used by the Governor, any <span class=\"dictionary\">political subdivision<\/span> of the Commonwealth, or any other governmental entity as an <span class=\"dictionary\">emergency<\/span> shelter or for the purpose of sheltering persons; <a id=\"paragraph-206853\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/44-146.15\/#3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"4\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">4.<\/span> Affect the <span class=\"dictionary\">jurisdiction<\/span> or responsibilities of police forces, firefighting forces, units of the armed forces of the United States or any personnel thereof, when on active duty; but state, local and interjurisdictional agencies for <span class=\"dictionary\">emergency services<\/span> shall place reliance upon such forces in the event of declared <span class=\"dictionary\">disasters<\/span>; or <a id=\"paragraph-206854\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/44-146.15\/#4\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"5\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">5.<\/span> Interfere with the course of conduct of a labor dispute except that actions otherwise authorized by this chapter or other <span class=\"dictionary\">laws<\/span> may be taken when necessary to forestall or mitigate imminent or existing danger to public health or safety. <a id=\"paragraph-206855\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/44-146.15\/#5\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONSTRUCTION OF CHAPTER (\u00a7 44-146.15)\n\nNothing in this chapter is to be construed to:\n\n1. Limit, modify, or abridge the authority of the Governor to exercise any\npowers vested in him under other laws of this Commonwealth independent of, or in\nconjunction with, any provisions of this chapter;\n\n2. Interfere with dissemination of news or comment on public affairs; but any\ncommunications facility or organization, including, but not limited to, radio\nand television stations, wire services, and newspapers, may be required to\ntransmit or print public service messages furnishing information or instructions\nin connection with actual or pending disaster;\n\n3. Empower the Governor, any political subdivision, or any other governmental\nauthority to in any way limit or prohibit the rights of the people to keep and\nbear arms as guaranteed by Article I, Section 13 of the Constitution of Virginia\nor the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, including the\notherwise lawful possession, carrying, transportation, sale, or transfer of\nfirearms except to the extent necessary to ensure public safety in any place or\nfacility designated or used by the Governor, any political subdivision of the\nCommonwealth, or any other governmental entity as an emergency shelter or for\nthe purpose of sheltering persons;\n\n4. Affect the jurisdiction or responsibilities of police forces, firefighting\nforces, units of the armed forces of the United States or any personnel thereof,\nwhen on active duty; but state, local and interjurisdictional agencies for\nemergency services shall place reliance upon such forces in the event of\ndeclared disasters; or\n\n5. Interfere with the course of conduct of a labor dispute except that actions\notherwise authorized by this chapter or other laws may be taken when necessary\nto forestall or mitigate imminent or existing danger to public health or safety.\n\nHISTORY: 1973, c. 260; 2000, c. 309; 2006, c. 458; 2012, cc. 42, 158.","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}}