{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/44-146.18_3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/44-146.18_3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/44-146.18_3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/44-146.18_3.html"}],"law_id":69158,"edition_id":1,"section_id":69158,"structure_id":14302,"section_number":"44-146.18:3","catch_line":"First informer broadcasters; coordination with Department of Emergency Management","history":"2014, c. 561.","full_text":"A\n\nFor purposes of this section, unless the context requires otherwise, &#8220;first informer&#8221; means the critical radio or television personnel of a radio or television broadcast station engaged in (i) the process of broadcasting; (ii) the maintenance or repair of broadcast station equipment, transmitters, and generators; or (iii) the transportation of fuel for generators of broadcast stations.B\n\nUnless it is shown to endanger public safety or inhibit recovery efforts, or is otherwise prohibited by state or federal law, state and local government agencies shall permit first informer radio or television personnel with proper identification cards to access their broadcasting station within any area declared a state emergency area by the Governor for the purpose of provision of news, public service and public safety information and repairing or resupplying their facility or equipment.\n\t\t\tFirst informer identification cards shall be issued by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters. A list of those first informers who have been issued identification cards shall be furnished to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters prior to December 30 of each year.C\n\nNothing in this section shall be construed to limit or impair the right or ability of any news organization or its personnel to gather and report the news.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":250262,"text":"For purposes of this section, unless the context requires otherwise, &#8220;first informer&#8221; means the critical radio or television personnel of a radio or television broadcast station engaged in (i) the process of broadcasting; (ii) the maintenance or repair of broadcast station equipment, transmitters, and generators; or (iii) the transportation of fuel for generators of broadcast stations.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":250263,"text":"Unless it is shown to endanger public safety or inhibit recovery efforts, or is otherwise prohibited by state or federal law, state and local government agencies shall permit first informer radio or television personnel with proper identification cards to access their broadcasting station within any area declared a state emergency area by the Governor for the purpose of provision of news, public service and public safety information and repairing or resupplying their facility or equipment.\n\t\t\tFirst informer identification cards shall be issued by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters. A list of those first informers who have been issued identification cards shall be furnished to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters prior to December 30 of each year.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":250264,"text":"Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or impair the right or ability of any news organization or its personnel to gather and report the news.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/44-146.18:3\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2014. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?141+ful+CHAP0561\">561<\/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":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":222329,"object_type":"law","relational_id":69158,"identifier":"44-146.18:3","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.18_3","url":"\/44-146.18_3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/44-146.18_3\/","token":"44\/3.2\/44-146.18_3","dublin_core":{"Title":"First informer broadcasters; coordination with Department of Emergency Management","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 44-146.18:3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> For purposes of this section, unless the context requires otherwise, &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">first informer<\/span>&#8221; means the critical radio or television personnel of a radio or television broadcast station engaged in (i) the process of broadcasting; (ii) the maintenance or repair of broadcast station equipment, transmitters, and generators; or (iii) the transportation of fuel for generators of broadcast stations. <a id=\"paragraph-250262\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/44-146.18_3\/#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> Unless it is shown to endanger public safety or inhibit recovery efforts, or is otherwise prohibited by state or federal <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>, state and local government agencies shall permit <span class=\"dictionary\">first informer<\/span> radio or television personnel with proper identification cards to access their broadcasting station within any area declared a state <span class=\"dictionary\">emergency<\/span> area by the Governor for the purpose of provision of news, public service and public safety information and repairing or resupplying their facility or equipment.\n\t\t\t<span class=\"dictionary\">First informer<\/span> identification cards shall be issued by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters. A list of those <span class=\"dictionary\">first informers<\/span> who have been issued identification cards shall be furnished to the Virginia Department of <span class=\"dictionary\">Emergency<\/span> Management and the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters prior to December 30 of each year. <a id=\"paragraph-250263\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/44-146.18_3\/#B\"><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> Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or impair the right or ability of any news organization or its personnel to gather and report the news. <a id=\"paragraph-250264\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/44-146.18_3\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFIRST INFORMER BROADCASTERS; COORDINATION WITH DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY\nMANAGEMENT (\u00a7 44-146.18:3)\n\nA. For purposes of this section, unless the context requires otherwise,\n&#8220;first informer&#8221; means the critical radio or television personnel of\na radio or television broadcast station engaged in (i) the process of\nbroadcasting; (ii) the maintenance or repair of broadcast station equipment,\ntransmitters, and generators; or (iii) the transportation of fuel for generators\nof broadcast stations.\n\nB. Unless it is shown to endanger public safety or inhibit recovery efforts, or\nis otherwise prohibited by state or federal law, state and local government\nagencies shall permit first informer radio or television personnel with proper\nidentification cards to access their broadcasting station within any area\ndeclared a state emergency area by the Governor for the purpose of provision of\nnews, public service and public safety information and repairing or resupplying\ntheir facility or equipment.\n\t\t\tFirst informer identification cards shall be issued by the Virginia\nAssociation of Broadcasters. A list of those first informers who have been\nissued identification cards shall be furnished to the Virginia Department of\nEmergency Management and the Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs by the\nVirginia Association of Broadcasters prior to December 30 of each year.\n\nC. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or impair the right or\nability of any news organization or its personnel to gather and report the news.\n\nHISTORY: 2014, c. 561.","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}}