HOUSE BILL NO. 1594 Offered January 20, 2006 A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-204 and 15.2-1200 of the Code of Virginia, relating to local government taxing authority. ---------- Patron-- Hull ---------- Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That §§ 15.2-204 and 15.2-1200 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 15.2-204. Uniform charter powers.

Cities and towns shall have all powers set forth in Article 1 (§ 15.2-1100 et seq.) of Chapter 11, known as the uniform charter powers. Such powers do not need to be set out or incorporated by reference in a city or town charter.

Counties shall have all powers set forth in Article 1 (§ 15.2-1100 et seq.) of Chapter 11 only when such powers are specifically conferred upon the county.

§ 15.2-1200. General powers of counties.

A. Any county may adopt such measures as it deems expedient to secure and promote the health, safety and general welfare of its inhabitants which are not inconsistent with the general laws of the Commonwealth. Such power shall include, but shall not be limited to, the adoption of quarantine regulations affecting both persons and animals, the adoption of necessary regulations to prevent the spread of contagious diseases among persons or animals and the adoption of regulations for the prevention of the pollution of water which is dangerous to the health or lives of persons residing in the county.

B. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, a county shall have the powers of taxation granted to a municipality in § 15.2-1104 provided that such county contributes 2% or more toward the costs of construction or improvement of the urban system highway or street construction projects within the county, as authorized for municipalities under § 33.1-44.