{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/1-214.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/1-214.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/1-214.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/1-214.html"}],"law_id":345213,"edition_id":2,"section_id":345213,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-214","catch_line":"Effective dates","history":"Code 1919, \u00a7 4; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 49, \u00a7 1-12; 1981, c. 329; 2005, c. 839.","full_text":"A\n\nAll laws enacted at a regular session of the General Assembly, including laws which are enacted by reason of actions taken during the reconvened session following a regular session, but excluding general appropriation acts, decennial reapportionment acts, and emergency acts, shall take effect on the first day of July following the adjournment of the regular session at which they were enacted, unless a subsequent date is specified.\n\nB\n\nAll laws enacted at a special session of the General Assembly, including laws which are enacted by reason of actions taken during the reconvened session following a special session, but excluding general appropriations acts, decennial reapportionment acts, and emergency acts, shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month following the month of adjournment of the special session at which they were enacted, unless a subsequent date is specified.\n\nC\n\nA general appropriation act shall take effect from its passage, unless another effective date is specified in the act.\n\nD\n\nAn emergency act shall take effect from its passage, or on a subsequent date if specified in the act, provided that the emergency shall be expressed in the body of the act and that the emergency shall be approved by a four-fifths vote of the members voting in each house of the General Assembly. The name of each member voting and how he voted shall be recorded in the journal.\n\nE\n\nA decennial reapportionment act to reapportion the Commonwealth into electoral districts shall take effect immediately.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1287168,"text":"All laws enacted at a regular session of the General Assembly, including laws which are enacted by reason of actions taken during the reconvened session following a regular session, but excluding general appropriation acts, decennial reapportionment acts, and emergency acts, shall take effect on the first day of July following the adjournment of the regular session at which they were enacted, unless a subsequent date is specified.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1287169,"text":"All laws enacted at a special session of the General Assembly, including laws which are enacted by reason of actions taken during the reconvened session following a special session, but excluding general appropriations acts, decennial reapportionment acts, and emergency acts, shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month following the month of adjournment of the special session at which they were enacted, unless a subsequent date is specified.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1287170,"text":"A general appropriation act shall take effect from its passage, unless another effective date is specified in the act.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":1287171,"text":"An emergency act shall take effect from its passage, or on a subsequent date if specified in the act, provided that the emergency shall be expressed in the body of the act and that the emergency shall be approved by a four-fifths vote of the members voting in each house of the General Assembly. The name of each member voting and how he voted shall be recorded in the journal.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":1287172,"text":"A decennial reapportionment act to reapportion the Commonwealth into electoral districts shall take effect immediately.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":49577,"edition_id":2,"name":"Rules of Construction and Definitions","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":2,"parent_id":49575,"metadata":{"child_laws":61,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:11:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:26:44","permalink":{"id":1369863,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49577,"identifier":"2","token":"1\/2.1\/2","url":"\/1\/2.1\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49575,"edition_id":2,"name":"Common Law and Rules of Construction","identifier":"2.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":2,"parent_id":49571,"metadata":{"child_laws":63,"child_structures":2},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:11:28","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:26:43","permalink":{"id":1369851,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49575,"identifier":"2.1","token":"1\/2.1","url":"\/1\/2.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49571,"edition_id":2,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":122,"child_structures":12},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:11:27","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:26:43","permalink":{"id":1369801,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49571,"identifier":"1","token":"1","url":"\/1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":345199,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-202","catch_line":"General rule of construction","url":"\/1-202\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-202","metadata":false},{"id":345200,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-203","catch_line":"Adult","url":"\/1-203\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-203","metadata":false},{"id":345201,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-204","catch_line":"Age of majority","url":"\/1-204\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-204","metadata":false},{"id":345202,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-205","catch_line":"Bond with surety","url":"\/1-205\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-205","metadata":false},{"id":345203,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-206","catch_line":"Certified mail equivalent to registered mail; certain subsequent mail or notice may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/1-206\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-206","metadata":false},{"id":345204,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-207","catch_line":"Child; juvenile; minor; infant","url":"\/1-207\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-207","metadata":false},{"id":345206,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-208","catch_line":"City","url":"\/1-208\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-208","metadata":false},{"id":345205,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-208.1","catch_line":"Carbon-free energy; clean energy","url":"\/1-208.1\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-208.1","metadata":false},{"id":345207,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-209","catch_line":"Collegial body","url":"\/1-209\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-209","metadata":false},{"id":345208,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-210","catch_line":"Computation of time","url":"\/1-210\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-210","metadata":false},{"id":345210,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-211","catch_line":"Constitutional references","url":"\/1-211\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-211","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Pound v. 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Virginia"}}}},{"id":345234,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-233","catch_line":"Personal estate","url":"\/1-233\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-233","metadata":false},{"id":345235,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-234","catch_line":"Personal representative","url":"\/1-234\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-234","metadata":false},{"id":345236,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-235","catch_line":"Population; inhabitants","url":"\/1-235\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-235","metadata":false},{"id":345237,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-236","catch_line":"Population classifications","url":"\/1-236\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-236","metadata":false},{"id":345238,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-237","catch_line":"Process","url":"\/1-237\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-237","metadata":false},{"id":345239,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-238","catch_line":"Reenacted","url":"\/1-238\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-238","metadata":false},{"id":345240,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-239","catch_line":"Repeal not to affect liabilities; mitigation of punishment","url":"\/1-239\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-239","metadata":false},{"id":345242,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-240","catch_line":"Repeal not to revive former act","url":"\/1-240\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-240","metadata":false},{"id":345241,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-240.1","catch_line":"Rights of parents","url":"\/1-240.1\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-240.1","metadata":false},{"id":345243,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-241","catch_line":"Seal","url":"\/1-241\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-241","metadata":false},{"id":345244,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-242","catch_line":"Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections","url":"\/1-242\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-242","metadata":false},{"id":345245,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-243","catch_line":"Severability","url":"\/1-243\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-243","metadata":false},{"id":345246,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-244","catch_line":"Short title citations","url":"\/1-244\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-244","metadata":false},{"id":345247,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-245","catch_line":"State","url":"\/1-245\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-245","metadata":false},{"id":345248,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-246","catch_line":"Stricken language or italics","url":"\/1-246\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-246","metadata":false},{"id":345249,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-247","catch_line":"Summaries of legislation","url":"\/1-247\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-247","metadata":false},{"id":345250,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-248","catch_line":"Supremacy of federal and state law","url":"\/1-248\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-248","metadata":false},{"id":345251,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-249","catch_line":"Supreme Court","url":"\/1-249\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-249","metadata":false},{"id":345252,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-250","catch_line":"Swear; sworn","url":"\/1-250\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-250","metadata":false},{"id":345253,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-251","catch_line":"Systems of state highways","url":"\/1-251\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-251","metadata":false},{"id":345254,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-252","catch_line":"Tier-city","url":"\/1-252\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-252","metadata":false},{"id":345255,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-253","catch_line":"Time zone","url":"\/1-253\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-253","metadata":false},{"id":345256,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-254","catch_line":"Town","url":"\/1-254\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-254","metadata":false},{"id":345257,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-255","catch_line":"United States","url":"\/1-255\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-255","metadata":false},{"id":345258,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-256","catch_line":"Weights and measurements; metric equivalents","url":"\/1-256\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-256","metadata":false},{"id":345259,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-257","catch_line":"Written; writing; in writing","url":"\/1-257\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-257","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":345212,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-213","catch_line":"Delegation of duties assigned to political subdivision","url":"\/1-213\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-213","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":345214,"structure_id":49577,"section_number":"1-215","catch_line":"Ex officio","url":"\/1-215\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-215","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/1-214\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1981, chapter 329; in 2005, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?051+ful+CHAP0839\">839<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":355642,"section_number":"24.2-101.1","catch_line":"Implementation of certain laws; special elections","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-101.1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1369921,"object_type":"law","relational_id":345213,"identifier":"1-214","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-214","url":"\/1-214\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/1-214\/","token":"1\/2.1\/2\/1-214","dublin_core":{"Title":"Effective dates","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 1-214","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> All <span class=\"dictionary\">laws<\/span> enacted at a regular session of the General Assembly, including <span class=\"dictionary\">laws<\/span> which are enacted by reason of actions taken during the reconvened session following a regular session, but excluding general appropriation acts, decennial reapportionment acts, and emergency acts, shall take effect on the first day of July following the adjournment of the regular session at which they were enacted, unless a subsequent date is specified. <a id=\"paragraph-1287168\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/1-214\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> All <span class=\"dictionary\">laws<\/span> enacted at a special session of the General Assembly, including <span class=\"dictionary\">laws<\/span> which are enacted by reason of actions taken during the reconvened session following a special session, but excluding general appropriations acts, decennial reapportionment acts, and emergency acts, shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month following the month of adjournment of the special session at which they were enacted, unless a subsequent date is specified. <a id=\"paragraph-1287169\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/1-214\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> A general appropriation act shall take effect from its passage, unless another effective date is specified in the act. <a id=\"paragraph-1287170\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/1-214\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> An emergency act shall take effect from its passage, or on a subsequent date if specified in the act, provided that the emergency shall be expressed in the body of the act and that the emergency shall be approved by a four-fifths vote of the members voting in each house of the General Assembly. The name of each member voting and how he voted shall be recorded in the journal. <a id=\"paragraph-1287171\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/1-214\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"E\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">E.<\/span> A decennial reapportionment act to reapportion the Commonwealth into electoral districts shall take effect immediately. <a id=\"paragraph-1287172\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/1-214\/#E\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEFFECTIVE DATES (\u00a7 1-214)\n\nA. All laws enacted at a regular session of the General Assembly, including laws\nwhich are enacted by reason of actions taken during the reconvened session\nfollowing a regular session, but excluding general appropriation acts, decennial\nreapportionment acts, and emergency acts, shall take effect on the first day of\nJuly following the adjournment of the regular session at which they were\nenacted, unless a subsequent date is specified.\n\nB. All laws enacted at a special session of the General Assembly, including laws\nwhich are enacted by reason of actions taken during the reconvened session\nfollowing a special session, but excluding general appropriations acts,\ndecennial reapportionment acts, and emergency acts, shall take effect on the\nfirst day of the fourth month following the month of adjournment of the special\nsession at which they were enacted, unless a subsequent date is specified.\n\nC. A general appropriation act shall take effect from its passage, unless\nanother effective date is specified in the act.\n\nD. An emergency act shall take effect from its passage, or on a subsequent date\nif specified in the act, provided that the emergency shall be expressed in the\nbody of the act and that the emergency shall be approved by a four-fifths vote\nof the members voting in each house of the General Assembly. The name of each\nmember voting and how he voted shall be recorded in the journal.\n\nE. A decennial reapportionment act to reapportion the Commonwealth into\nelectoral districts shall take effect immediately.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1919, \u00a7 4; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 49, \u00a7 1-12; 1981, c. 329; 2005,\nc. 839.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}