Chap. 249.-—-An ACT to provide for the establishment of air raid precautions, the
ordering of blackouts, the making of certain regulations, and the appointment of
certain special officers, under certain circumstances and, incidental to such ob-
ject to provide for non-liability for damage to persons and property under certain
circumstances, to prescribe penalties for violations of any regulations imposed
in pursuance of this act, to provide for the automatic termination of the effect
of the act, and to declare an emergency. [H B 309]

Approved March 18, 1942

1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia, as follows:

Section 1. Authorization of Blackouts—(a) Whenever a state
of war exists between the United States and any foreign country, the
Governor is hereby authorized to establish air raid precautions; and
pursuant thereto to order blackouts in such areas, under such conditions,
at such times and for such periods as he deems advisable or upon the
request of any Federal military or naval authority, and also to regulate
and prohibit during such blackouts the movement of vehicular traffic on
public highways and streets and to make such regulations as he deems
necessary to insure the success of such blackouts and the protection of
life and property during the same. ,

(b) All political subdivisions of this State are authorized and
directed to enforce the orders and regulations of the Governor issued
or made pursuant to this act; and they are further authorized to order
blackouts in their own jurisdictions whenever they are requested by
proper Federal military or naval authority and to make reasonable regula-
tions to insure the success of the same and the protection of life and
property, provided that such regulations do not conflict with any regula-
tions of the Governor.

Section 2. Non-Liability for Damages.—Neither the State nor any
political subdivision of the State shall be liable for any damage to persons
or property caused directly or indirectly by an authorized blackout, or
any other air raid precaution or anything incidental thereto.

— Section 3. Appointment of Special Officers—The Governor may
authorize appropriate local authorities to appoint citizens of the United
States as air raid wardens, fire watchers, auxiliary firemen, and police-
men, and he shall prescribe the powers, duties, rights, privileges and im-
munities of person so appointed. In the absence of an agreement therefor,
such appointees shall serve without compensation.

Section 4. Violations of Regulations—Any person violating any
regulation made pursuant to this act shall upon conviction thereof be
punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or imprison-
ment for not exceeding thirty days, or both.

Section 5. Termination of Act—This act shall be in effect only
during such time as a state of war exists between the United States and
a foreign country.

2. An emergency exists and this act is in force from its passage.