HOUSE BILL NO. 630 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 10, 2006 A BILL for the relief of Rodney Robinette and Susan Cowden. ---------- Patron-- Phillips ---------- Referred to Committee on Appropriations ----------

Whereas, in 1967, property located in Wise County, Virginia, totally 5/6 of an acre was lawfully sold by James and Ann Hall to Oscar and Cora Hall; and

Whereas, the conveyance was recorded in the County's deed book; and

Whereas, according to the deed book record, the property was conveyed in two parts, with one parcel consisting of 4/6 of an acre and another parcel consisting of 1/6 of an acre; and

Whereas, the land records of the County were changed to reflect the conveyance of the parcel consisting of 4/6 of an acre but were not changed to reflect the conveyance of the parcel consisting of 1/6 of an acre; and

Whereas the erroneous record for the parcel consisting of 1/6 of an acre remained in the land records for the County until the property escheated to the Commonwealth in 1993 for unpaid taxes; and

Whereas, on May 24, 1993, Rodney Robinette and Susan Cowden purchased the 1/6 of an acre parcel at an escheat sale; however, due to the erroneous record, they did not actually purchase any interest in the property but instead purchased, in essence, an erroneous record; and

Whereas, the facts surrounding the erroneous record were subsequently discovered whereupon Mr. Robinette and Ms. Cowden were informed that the property that they had purchased had actually been conveyed in 1967 but that the land records were not changed to reflect the new owners; and

Whereas, Mr. Robinette and Ms. Cowden purchased rights in a property that the Commonwealth is unable to convey, and Mr. Robinette and Ms. Cowden have no other means to obtain adequate relief except by action of this body; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  § 1. That there shall be paid for the relief of Rodney Robinette and Susan Cowden from the general fund of the state treasury, upon execution of a release of all claims they may have against the Commonwealth or any agency, instrumentality, officer, employee, or political subdivision in connection with the aforesaid occurrence, the sum of $175 to be paid to Rodney Robinette and Susan Cowden on or before August 1, 2006, by check issued by the State Treasurer on warrant of the Comptroller.