Code Title Recodification FAQs

What are Code titles?

Code titles are the highest level of organization for the Code of Virginia. Code titles are organized alphabetically by subject and numbered sequentially. The Code of Virginia is organized into 78 Titles, numbered from Title 1 to Title 67.

What is a Code title revision or recodification?

Periodically, the Code Commission reviews an existing title of the Code of Virginia for provisions that need to be reorganized, need to be updated, or have become obsolete. This review includes an evaluation of the continued need for or repeal of any section that has not been implemented during the previous five years because sufficient funds were not appropriated by the General Assembly.
A title revision or recodification generally does not contain substantive changes to the laws; however, if a substantive change is made, it is identified in the executive summary and drafting notes of the recodification report.
In addition to a detailed report, the Code Commission prepares a draft bill with the proposed changes for consideration by the General Assembly. 

When does a Code title revision or recodification occur?

One of the main purposes of a recodification is to improve the organization of the title. As sections are added, amended, and repealed over the years, the title loses its organizational structure. The Code Commission is charged with gradually revising the Code of Virginia one title at a time. Typically, the Code Commission reviews a title every one or two years.

What's the process by which a Code title is recodified?

The Code Commission is responsible for drafting title recodification bills for introduction into the General Assembly. Division of Legislative Services (DLS) staff leads the recodification process as directed by the Code Commission. DLS staff works closely with interested parties affected by the recodification to resolve any problems that are identified with the draft language.
The Code Commission reviews each section of the title on a chapter by chapter basis over the course of several meetings, which are open to the public. Drafting notes explaining the changes follow each section in the draft bill. The Code Commission also posts information about the recodification on this website under "Recodifications & Reports.
Once the final report is approved, the bill is finalized and introduced into the General Assembly by one of the legislative members of the Code Commission. The proposed revision occurs only after passage of the bill by the General Assembly. 

When a title of the Code of Virginia is recodified (i.e. Title 33.1 becomes Title 33.2), how do I find out what new section numbers correspond to the old section numbers?

Volume 10 of the LexisNexis Code of Virginia contains tables of comparable sections for revised titles. Print copies of the Code of Virginia are available in most Virginia public library systems (see http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/libraries.asp).
Another option would be to check the Code Commission's title revision report online for that particular title revision. The title revision report contains the comparable sections. For example, for a section in Title 33.1, see the title revision report at http://codecommission.dls.virginia.gov/title_33_1.shtml. The conversion/comparative section tables in the report may not be totally accurate as some changes could have occurred in numbering between the time the report was published and the actual recodification bill passed the General Assembly. Search for the former title reference using the Code of Virginia searchable database online (http://lis.virginia.gov/000/src.htm). The former number appears in the history of the section and is searchable.