CHAPTER 241

An Act to amend and reenact § 15.1-257 of the Code of Virginia, requir-
tng the governing bodies of counties and cities to provide courthouses
and certain other facilities, and authorizing the governing bodies of
counties to acquire additional land for county purposes. 'S 76

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Approved March 31, 1964

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 15.1-257 of the Code of Virginia be amended and reenacted
as follows:

§ 15.1-257. * The governing body of every county and city shall
provide a courthouse with suitable space and facilities to accommodate the
various courts of record and officials thereof serving the county or
city, and, within or without such courthouse, a clerk’s office the record
room of which shall be fireproof, a jail, and, upon request therefor,
suitable space and facilities for the attorney for the Commonwealth to
discharge the duties of his office. The costs thereof and of the land on which
they may be, and of keeping the same in good order, shall be chargeable
to the county or city. The fee simple of the lands shall be in the county or
city, and the* governing body of the county or* city may purchase so much
land, as, with what it has, * may be necessary for the purposes enumerated
or for any other proper purpose of the county or city; provided, * how-
ever, that any portion of said lands owned by a county and located within
a city or town, and not actually occupied by the courthouse, clerk’s office,
or jail, may be sold or exchanged and conveyed to the said city or town to
be used for street or other public purposes. Any such sale or exchange
by the * governing body of a county shall be made in accordance with the
provisions of § 15.1-262. *

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