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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>84886</law_id><section_number>2.2-618</section_number><catch_line>State programs to implement federal statutes</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="2.2">Administration of Government</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">Organization of State Government</unit><unit label="part" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="C">State Agencies Related to the General Operation of Government</unit><unit label="chapter" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="6">General Provisions</unit><unit label="article" level="5" order_by="1" identifier="2">Implementation of Federal Mandates Act</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Any agency of the executive branch of state government that is authorized to develop a state program to implement any <span class="dictionary">mandates</span> contained in a <span class="dictionary">federal statute</span> shall develop the state program and adopt any necessary regulations using the following criteria:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> State programs shall be developed by the agency to meet the requirements of <span class="dictionary">federal statutes</span> in good faith with a critical view toward any federal regulations, guidelines, or policies. <a id="paragraph-304125" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/2.2-618/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> State programs shall be developed with due consideration of the financial restraints of the Commonwealth, local governments, and the citizens of Virginia. <a id="paragraph-304126" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/2.2-618/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Any state program that implements the goals of the <span class="dictionary">federal statute</span> shall use the most efficient method possible with careful consideration given to cost of the program and the impact of the program on Virginia citizens and local governments, and the long-range public health, safety, and welfare of citizens of the Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-304127" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/2.2-618/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1995, c. 604, &#xA7; 2.1-798; 2001, c. 844.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
