HB1185: The Road to Revolution; expands potential for sites on state heritage trail.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 1 of Chapter 852 of the Acts of Assembly of 2007 is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 1. There is hereby established The Road to Revolution, a state heritage trail of sites significant to Patrick Henry, orator of the American Revolution and independent Virginia's first governor, to highlight and celebrate Henry's that honors men and women of the founding generation who played a leading role in liberating Virginia from Colonial rule to independence and establishing a constitutional republic. The Trail shall consist of the following sites: Henry?s birthplace at Studley, Virginia; Rural Plains at Mechanicsville, Virginia; Pine Slash at Studley, Virginia; Hampden-Sydney College at Hampden-Sydney, Virginia; St. John's Church at Richmond, Virginia; Scotchtown at Beaverdam, Virginia; Hanover Tavern at Hanover, Virginia; the Hanover County Courthouse at Hanover, Virginia; Historic Polegreen Church at Mechanicsville, Virginia; Leatherwood Plantation at Henry County, Virginia; Red Hill Plantation and the Patrick Henry National Memorial, at Brookneal, Virginia; and all additional sites determined to meet the criteria established by The Road to Revolution Heritage Trail Consortium in sole partnership with the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau. Criteria for sites shall include places and related events of significance to the lives of those who contributed to the establishment of these United States. The Virginia Department of Transportation shall erect one identifying sign in the Department's right-of-way at each site only by request of a local government, historical organization, or foundation with custodial responsibilities for that site. Directional signs for travelers to these sites may be erected and maintained by similar request. Directional signage shall be placed at the nearest intersection to each site in the Department's right-of-way if there is no conflict with other Department signage. All signs shall consist of a common sign design developed by a committee consisting of one representative of each historical organization, foundation, or local governing body and the Director of the Department of Historic Resources. Sign panels and posts shall meet Department of Transportation specifications. All costs associated with manufacturing, erection, and maintenance of signs under this section shall be borne by the requesting party. Signs erected by the Virginia Department of Transportation under this section shall be developed in accordance with applicable provisions of § 10.1-2209 and placed in accordance with all applicable Virginia Department of Transportation regulations.