SB 612

Abstract

Commission for Historical Statues in the United States Capitol; replacement of Robert E. Lee statue in National Statuary Hall Collection. Creates the Commission for Historical Statues in the United States Capitol to determine whether the Robert E. Lee statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection at the United States Capitol should be replaced and, if so, to recommend to the General Assembly as a replacement a statue of a prominent Virginia citizen of historic renown or renowned for distinguished civil or military service to be commemorated in the National Statuary Hall Collection.The Commission will consist of eight members appointed as follows: one member of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; one member of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; two nonlegislative citizen members who are Virginia or American historians appointed by the Governor; three nonlegislative citizen members appointed upon the vote of the Commission members appointed by the Speaker, the Senate Committee on Rules, and the Governor; and the Director of the Department of Historic Resources, who serves ex officio with nonvoting privileges. The Department of Historic Resources will provide staff support to the Commission.The Commission will also be required to (i) select a sculptor for the new statue, with preference given to a sculptor from Virginia; (ii) estimate the costs associated with the replacement of the Robert E. Lee statue, including costs related to construction and placement of the new statue, for the removal and transfer of the Robert E. Lee statue, and for any unveiling ceremony of the new statue; and (iii) recommend to the General Assembly a suitable state, local, or private nonprofit history museum in the Commonwealth for placement of the Robert E. Lee statue.The bill requires the Commission to hold at least one public hearing prior to making any recommendation to the General Assembly on a new statue and requires the costs of the Commission's work to be borne by the Commission from such private funds as are collected by the Commission and general funds as are appropriated by the General Assembly. This bill is identical to HB 1406.

Commission for Historical Statues in the United States Capitol; replacement of Robert E. Lee statue in National Statuary Hall Collection. Creates the Commission for Historical Statues in the United States Capitol to determine whether the Robert E. Lee statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection at the United States Capitol should be replaced and, if so, to recommend to the General Assembly as a replacement a statue of a prominent Virginia citizen of historic renown or renowned for distinguished civil or military service to be commemorated in the National Statuary Hall Collection.The Commission will consist of eight members appointed as follows: one member of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; one member of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; two nonlegislative citizen members who are Virginia or American historians appointed by the Governor; three nonlegislative citizen members appointed upon the vote of the Commission members appointed by the Speaker, the Senate Committee on Rules, and the Governor; and the Director of the Department of Historic Resources, who serves ex officio with nonvoting privileges. The Department of Historic Resources will provide staff support to the Commission.The Commission will also be required to (i) select a sculptor for the new statue, with preference given to a sculptor from Virginia; (ii) estimate the costs associated with the replacement of the Robert E. Lee statue, including costs related to construction and placement of the new statue, for the removal and transfer of the Robert E. Lee statue, and for any unveiling ceremony of the new statue; and (iii) recommend to the General Assembly a suitable state, local, or private nonprofit history museum in the Commonwealth for placement of the Robert E. Lee statue.The bill requires the Commission to hold at least one public hearing prior to making any recommendation to the General Assembly on a new statue and requires the costs of the Commission's work to be borne by the Commission from such private funds as are collected by the Commission and general funds as are appropriated by the General Assembly. 

Commission for Historical Statues in the United StatesCapitol; removal of Robert E. Lee statue from National Statuary HallCollection. Creates the Commission for Historical Statues in the UnitedStates Capitol to provide for the removal of the Robert E. Lee statue in theNational Statuary Hall Collection at the United States Capitol and to recommendto the General Assembly as a replacement a statue of a prominent Virginiacitizen of historic renown or renowned for distinguished civil or militaryservice to be commemorated in the National Statuary Hall Collection.The Commission will consist of six members appointed asfollows: one member of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of theHouse of Delegates; one member of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committeeon Rules; two nonlegislative citizen members who are Virginia or Americanhistorians appointed by the Governor; one nonlegislative citizen memberappointed upon the vote of the Commission members appointed by the Speaker, theSenate Committee on Rules, and the Governor; and the Director of the Departmentof Historic Resources, who serves ex officio with nonvoting privileges. TheDepartment of Historic Resources will provide staff support to the Commission.The Commission will also be required to (i) select a sculptorfor the new statue, with preference given to a sculptor from Virginia; (ii)estimate the costs associated with the replacement of the Robert E. Lee statue,including costs related to construction and placement of the new statue, forthe removal and transfer of the Robert E. Lee statue, and for any unveilingceremony of the new statue; and (iii) recommend to the General Assembly asuitable state, local, or private nonprofit history museum in the Commonwealthfor placement of the Robert E. Lee statue.The bill requires the Commission to hold at least one publichearing prior to making any recommendation to the General Assembly on a newstatue and requires the costs of the Commission's work to be borne by theCommission from such private funds as are collected by the Commission andgeneral funds as are appropriated by the General Assembly.