CHAPTER 439

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 3 of Title 42
a section numbered 42-19.4, so as to provide for the establishment of
law libraries in certain cities and counties; assessment as part of
costs in certain courts in such counties to maintain same; permitting
the acceptance of contributions from bar associations for such library.

[H 3838]
Approved March 31, 1964

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding in Chapter 3 of Title
42 a section numbered 42-19.4, as follows:

§ 42-19.4. Any county having a population of more than forty-four
thousand but less than fifty thousand and any county having a population
of more than twenty-five thousand eight hundred fifty but less than twenty-
six thousand, and any county having a population of more than forty-three
thousand but less than forty-four thousand, and any city having a popu-
lation of more than eighty-nine thousand but less than ninety-two thou-
sand, in any city having a population of more than thirty thousand but
less than forty thousand, and any city having a population of more than
one hundred fourteen thousand but less than one hundred twenty thou-
sand, and any city having a land area of more than two hundred but not
more than three hundred square miles, and any city having a population of
three hundred thousand, and any county having a population of more
than 12,100 but less than 12,500 and any city having a population of
more than 11,000 but less than 11,200, in this State may, through its
governing body, assess as part of the costs, incident to each civil action
filed in the courts of record located within its boundaries a sum not in
excess of one dollar. The imposition of such assessment shall be by ordi-
nance of the governing body, which ordinance may provide for different
sums in courts of record and courts not of record, and the assessment
shall be collected by the clerk of the court in which the action is filed,
and remitted to the treasurer of such county and held by such treasurer
subject to disbursements by the governing body for the acquisition of
law books and law periodicals for the establishment, use and mainte-
nance of a law library which shall be open for the use of the public. In ad-
dition to the acquisition of law books and law periodicals, the disburse-
ments may include compensation to be paid to librarians and other neces-
sary staff for the maintenance of such library and acquisition of suitable
quarters for such library. The compensation of such librarians and the
necessary staff and the cost of suitable quarters for such library shall be
fixed by the governing body and paid out of the fund created by the im-
position of such assessment of cost. The assessment provided for herein
shall be in addition to all other costs prescribed by law, but shall not apply
to any action in which the Commonwealth or any political subdivision
thereof or the federal government is a party and in which the costs are
assessed against the Commonwealth, political subdivision thereof, or fed-
eral government. The governing body is authorized to accept contributions
to the fund from any bar association.