                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

AUTHORITY TO USE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEEDINGS (§ 2.2-4116)

A. Except as specifically prohibited by law, if the parties to the dispute
agree, any public body may use dispute resolution proceedings to narrow or
resolve any issue in controversy. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to
prohibit or limit other public body dispute resolution authority. Nothing in
this chapter shall create or alter any right, action, cause of action, or be
interpreted or applied in a manner inconsistent with the Administrative Process
Act (&#xA7; 2.2-4000 et seq.), applicable federal or state law or any provision
that requires the Commonwealth to obtain or maintain federal delegation or
approval of any regulatory program. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the
use of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to obtain the disclosure of
information concerning expenses incurred in connection with a dispute resolution
proceeding or the amount of money paid by a public body or agency to settle a
dispute.

B. A decision by a public body to participate in or not to participate in a
specific dispute resolution proceeding shall be within the discretion of the
public body and is not subject to judicial review. This subsection does not
affect or supersede any law mandating the use of a dispute resolution
proceeding.

C. An agreement arising out of any dispute resolution proceeding shall not be
binding upon a public body unless the agreement is affirmed by the public body.

HISTORY: 2002, c. 633.