Article I: Bill of Rights
| Passage | Title |
|---|
| Entire Article | Article I (Bill of Rights) |
| Section 0 | Intro to the Bill of Rights |
| Section 1 | Rights of Life, Liberty, Worship, Pursuit of Safety and Happiness, Free Speech, Acquiring and Protecting Property, Peaceable Assembly, Redress of Grievances, Bearing Arms |
| Section 2 | Absolute and Arbitrary Power Denied |
| Section 3 | Men Are Equal – No Exclusive Grant Except for Public Services – Property Not to be Exempted from Taxation – Grants Revocable |
| Section 4 | Power Inherent in the People – Right to Alter, Reform, or Abolish Government |
| Section 5 | Right of Religious Freedom |
| Section 6 | Elections to be Free and Equal |
| Section 7 | Right of Trial by Jury |
| Section 8 | Freedom of Speech and of the Press |
| Section 9 | Truth May be Given in Evidence in Prosecution for Publishing Matters Proper for Public Information – Jury to Try Law and Facts in Libel Prosecutions |
| Section 10 | Security from Search and Seizure – Conditions of Issuance of Warrant |
| Section 11 | Rights of Accused in Criminal Prosecution – Change of Venue |
| Section 12 | Indictable Offense Not to be Prosecuted by Information – Exceptions |
| Section 13 | Double Jeopardy – Property Not to be Taken for Public Use Without Compensation |
| Section 14 | Right of Judicial Remedy for Injury – Speedy Trial |
| Section 15 | Laws to be Suspended Only by General Assembly |
| Section 16 | Right to Bail – Habeas Corpus |
| Section 17 | Excessive Bail or Fine, or Cruel Punishment, Prohibited |
| Section 18 | Imprisonment for Debt Restricted |
| Section 19 | Ex Post Facto Law or Law Impairing Contract Forbidden – Rules of Construction for Mineral Deeds Relating to Coal Extraction |
| Section 20 | Attainder, Operation of Restricted |
| Section 21 | Descent in Case of Suicide or Casualty |
| Section 22 | Standing Armies Restricted – Military Subordinate to Civil – Quartering Soldiers Restricted |
| Section 23 | No Office of Nobility or Hereditary Distinction, or for Longer Than A Term of Years |
| Section 24 | Emigration to be Free |
| Section 25 | Slavery and Involuntary Servitude Forbidden |
| Section 26 | General Powers Subordinate to Bill of Rights – Laws Contrary Thereto Are Void |
| Section 26A | Rights of Victims of Crime |
Article III: The Legislative Department
| Passage | Title |
|---|
| Entire Article | Article III (The Legislative Department) |
| Section 29 | Legislative Power Vested in General Assembly |
| Section 30 | Term of Office of Senators and Representatives |
| Section 31 | Time of Election and Term of Office of Senators and Representatives |
| Section 32 | Qualifications of Senators and Representatives |
| Section 33 | Senatorial and Representative Districts |
| Section 34 | Officers of Houses of General Assembly |
| Section 35 | Number of Senators and Representatives |
| Section 36 | Time and Place of Meetings of General Assembly |
| Section 37 | Majority Constitutes Quorum – Powers of Less Than A Quorum |
| Section 38 | Each House to Judge Qualifications, Elections, and Returns of Its Members – Contests |
| Section 39 | Powers of Each House as to Rules and Conduct of Members – Contempt – Bribery |
| Section 40 | Journals – When Vote to be Entered |
| Section 41 | Adjournment During Session |
| Section 42 | Compensation of Members – Length of Sessions – Legislative Day |
| Section 43 | Privileges from Arrest and from Questioning as to Speech or Debate |
| Section 44 | Ineligibility of Members to Civil Office Created or Given Increased Compensation During Term |
| Section 45 | Collector of Public Money Ineligible Unless He Has Quietus |
| Section 46 | Bills Must be Reported by Committee, Printed, and Read – How Bill Called from Committee – Votes Required for Passage |
| Section 47 | Bills to Raise Revenue Must Originate in House of Representatives |
| Section 48 | Resources of Sinking Fund Not to be Diminished – Preservation of Fund |
| Section 49 | Power to Contract Debts – Limit |
| Section 50 | Purposes for Which Debt May be Contracted – Tax to Discharge – Public Vote |
| Section 51 | Law May Not Relate to More Than One Subject, to be Expressed in Title – Amendments Must be at Length |
| Section 52 | General Assembly May Not Release Debt to State or to County or City |
| Section 53 | Investigation of Accounts of Treasurer and Auditor – Report, Publication, Submission to Governor and General Assembly |
| Section 54 | No Restriction on Recovery for Injury or Death |
| Section 55 | When Laws to Take Effect – Emergency Legislation |
| Section 56 | Signing of Bills – Enrollment – Presentation to Governor |
| Section 57 | Member Having Personal Interest to Make Disclosure and Not Vote |
| Section 58 | General Assembly Not to Audit nor Allow Private Claim – Exception – Appropriations |
| Section 59 | Local and Special Legislation |
| Section 60 | General Law Not to be Made Special or Local by Amendment – No Special Powers or Privileges – Law Not to Take Effect on Approval of Other Authority Than General Assembly – Exceptions |
| Section 61 | Provision to be Made for Local Option on Sale of Liquor – Time of Elections |
| Section 62 | Style of Laws |
Article VI: The Executive Department
| Passage | Title |
|---|
| Entire Article | Article VI (The Executive Department) |
| Section 69 | Executive Power Vested in Governor |
| Section 70 | Election of Governor and Lieutenant Governor – Term – Tie Vote |
| Section 71 | Gubernatorial Succession |
| Section 72 | Qualifications of Governor and Lieutenant Governor – Duties of Lieutenant Governor |
| Section 73 | When Terms of Governor and Lieutenant Governor Begin |
| Section 74 | Compensation of Governor and Lieutenant Governor |
| Section 75 | Governor Is Commander-In-Chief of Army, Navy and Militia |
| Section 76 | Power of Governor to Fill Vacancies |
| Section 77 | Power of Governor to Remit Fines and Forfeitures, Grant Reprieves and Pardons – No Power to Remit Fees |
| Section 78 | Governor May Require Information from State Officers |
| Section 79 | Reports and Recommendations to General Assembly |
| Section 80 | Governor May Call Extraordinary Session of General Assembly, Adjourn General Assembly |
| Section 81 | Governor to Enforce Laws |
| Section 82 | Succession of Lieutenant Governor |
| Section 83 | (Repealed 1992) |
| Section 84 | When Lieutenant Governor to Act as Governor – President of the Senate Not to Preside at Impeachment of Governor – Certification of Disability of Governor |
| Section 85 | President of Senate – Election – Powers |
| Section 86 | Compensation of President of the Senate |
| Section 87 | Who to Act as Governor in Absence of Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate |
| Section 88 | Signature of Bills by Governor – Veto – Passage Over Veto – Partial Veto |
| Section 89 | Concurrent Orders and Resolutions on Same Footing as Bill |
| Section 90 | Contest of Election for Governor or Lieutenant Governor |
| Section 91 | Constitutional State Officers – Election – Qualification – Term of Office – Duties – Secretary of State to Record Acts of Governor and Report Them to General Assembly |
| Section 92 | Qualifications of Attorney General |
| Section 93 | Succession of Elected Constitutional State Officers – Duties – Inferior Officers and Members of Boards and Commissions |
| Section 94 | (Repealed 1992) |
| Section 95 | Time of Election of Elected Constitutional State Officers |
| Section 96 | Compensation of Constitutional State Officers |
| Section 97 | Commonwealth’s Attorney and Circuit Court Clerk – Election – Term |
| Section 98 | Compensation of Commonwealth’s Attorney |
| Section 99 | County Officers, Justices of the Peace, and Constables – Election – Term |
| Section 100 | Qualifications of Officers for Counties and Districts |
| Section 101 | Qualifications and Jurisdiction of Constables |
| Section 102 | Officers for New Counties |
| Section 103 | Bonds of County Officers and Other Officers |
| Section 104 | Abolishment of Office of Assessor – Assessor May Not Succeed Himself |
| Section 105 | Consolidation of Offices of Sheriff and Jailer |
| Section 106 | Fees of County Officers – Fees in Counties Having Seventy-Five Thousand Population or More |
| Section 107 | Additional County or District Offices May be Created |
| Section 108 | Abolishment of Office of Commonwealth’s Attorney |
Article XI: Suffrage and Elections
| Passage | Title |
|---|
| Entire Article | Article XI (Suffrage and Elections) |
| Section 145 | Persons Entitled to Vote |
| Section 146 | Soldiers or Sailors Stationed in State Are Not Residents |
| Section 147 | Registration of Voters Manner of Voting – Absent Voting – Voting Machines – Election Defined – Election Laws – Illiterate and Disabled Voters |
| Section 148 | Number of Elections – Day and Hours of Election – Qualifications of Officers – Employees to be Given Time to Vote |
| Section 149 | Privilege from Arrest During Voting |
| Section 150 | Disqualification from Office for Using Money or Property to Secure or Influence Election – Corporation Not to Use Money or Other Thing of Value to Influence Election – Exclusion from Office for Conviction of Felony or High Misdemeanor – Laws to Regulate Elections |
| Section 151 | Person Guilty of Fraud, Intimidation, Bribery, or Corrupt Practice to be Deprived of Office by Suitable Statutory Means |
| Section 152 | Vacancies – When Filled by Appointment, When by Election – Who to Fill |
| Section 153 | Power of General Assembly as to Elections |
| Section 154 | Laws as to Sale or Gift of Liquor on Election Days |
| Section 155 | School Elections Not Governed by Constitution |
| Section 156 | (Repealed 1994) |
| Section 156a | General Assembly Authorized to Provide for Creation, Governmental Structure, and Classification of Cities |
| Section 156b | General Assembly Authorized to Permit Municipal Home Rule for Cities |
Article XII: Municipalities
| Passage | Title |
|---|
| Entire Article | Article XII (Municipalities) |
| Section 157 | Maximum Tax Rate for Cities, Counties, and Taxing Districts |
| Section 157a | Credit of Commonwealth May be Loaned or Given to County for Roads – County May Vote to Incur Indebtedness and Levy Additional Tax for Roads |
| Section 157b | Adoption of Budget Required for Cities, Counties, and Taxing Districts – Expenditures Not to Exceed Revenues for Fiscal Year |
| Section 158 | Maximum Indebtedness of Cities, Counties, and Taxing Districts – General Assembly Authorized to Set Additional Limits and Conditions |
| Section 159 | Tax to Pay Indebtedness in Not More Than Forty Years Must be Levied |
| Section 160 | Municipal Officers – Election and Term of Office – Officers Ineligible – Fiscal Officers |
| Section 161 | Compensation of City, County, or Municipal Officer Not to be Changed After Election or Appointment or During Term, nor Term Extended |
| Section 162 | Unauthorized Contracts of Cities, Counties, and Municipalities Are Void |
| Section 163 | Public Utilities Must Obtain Franchise to Use Streets |
| Section 164 | Term of Franchises Limited – Advertisement and Bids |
| Section 165 | Incompatible Offices and Employment’s |
| Section 166 | Expiration of City Charters Granted Prior to Constitution |
| Section 167 | Time of Election of City, Urban-County, and Town Officers |
| Section 168 | Ordinance Not to Fix Less Penalty Than Statute for Same Offense – Prosecution Under One A Bar |
Article XIII: Revenue and Taxation
| Passage | Title |
|---|
| Entire Article | Article XIII (Revenue and Taxation) |
| Section 169 | Fiscal Year |
| Section 170 | Property Exempt from Taxation – Cities May Exempt Factories for Five Years |
| Section 171 | State Tax to be Levied – Taxes to be Levied and Collected for Public Purposes Only and by General Laws, and to be Uniform Within Classes – Classification of Property for Taxation – Bonds Exempt – Referendum on Act Classifying Property |
| Section 172 | Property to be Assessed at Fair Cash Value – Punishment of Assessor for Willful Error |
| Section 172a | Assessment for Ad Valorem Tax Purposes of Agricultural and Horticultural Land |
| Section 172b | Property Assessment or Reassessment Moratoriums |
| Section 173 | Officer Receiving Profit on Public Funds Guilty of Felony |
| Section 174 | Property to be Taxed According to Value, Whether Corporate or Individual – Income, License, and Franchise Taxes |
| Section 175 | Power to Tax Property Not to be Surrendered |
| Section 176 | Commonwealth Not to Assume Debt of County or City – Exception |
| Section 177 | Commonwealth Not to Lend Credit, nor Become Stockholder in Corporation, nor Build Railroad or Highway |
| Section 178 | Law for Borrowing Money to Specify Purpose, for Which Alone Money May be Used |
| Section 179 | Political Subdivision Not to Become Stockholder in Corporation, or Appropriate Money or Lend Credit to Any Person, Except for Roads or State Capitol |
| Section 180 | Act or Ordinance Levying Any Tax Must Specify Purpose, for Which Alone Money May be Used |
| Section 181 | General Assembly May Not Levy Tax for Political Subdivision, but May Confer Power – License and Excise Taxes – City Taxes in Lieu of Ad Valorem Taxes |
| Section 182 | Railroad Taxes – How Assessed and Collected |
Article XV: Corporations
| Passage | Title |
|---|
| Entire Article | Article XV (Corporations) |
| Section 190 | Regulation of Corporations by General Assembly |
| Section 191 | (Repealed 2002) |
| Section 192 | (Repealed 2002) |
| Section 193 | (Repealed 2002) |
| Section 194 | (Repealed 2002) |
| Section 195 | Corporation Property Subject to Eminent Domain; Corporations Not to Infringe Upon Individuals |
| Section 196 | Regulation of Common Carriers – No Relief from Common-Law Liability |
| Section 197 | Free Passes or Reduced Rates to Officers Forbidden |
| Section 198 | (Repealed 2002) |
| Section 199 | Telegraph and Telephone Companies – Right to Construct Lines – Exchange of Messages |
| Section 200 | (Repealed 2002) |
| Section 201 | Public Utility Company Not to Consolidate With, Acquire or Operate Competing or Parallel System – Common Carriers Not to Share Earnings with One Not Carrying – Telephone Companies Excepted Under Certain Conditions |
| Section 202 | (Repealed 2002) |
| Section 203 | (Repealed 2002) |
| Section 204 | Bank Officer Liable for Receiving Deposit for Insolvent Bank |
| Section 205 | Forfeiture of Corporate Charters in Case of Abuse or Detrimental Use |
| Section 206 | Warehouses Subject to Legislative Control – Inspection – Protection of Patrons |
| Section 207 | (Repealed 2002) |
| Section 208 | (Repealed 2002) |
Article XVI: Railroads and Commerce
| Passage | Title |
|---|
| Entire Article | Article XVI (Railroads and Commerce) |
| Section 209 | (Repealed 2000) |
| Section 210 | Common Carrier Corporation Not to be Interested in Other Business |
| Section 211 | Foreign Railroad Corporation May Not Condemn or Acquire Real Estate |
| Section 212 | Rolling Stock, Earnings, and Personal Property of Railroads Subject to Execution or Attachment |
| Section 213 | Railroad Companies to Handle Traffic with Connecting Carriers Without Discrimination |
| Section 214 | Railroad Not to Make Exclusive or Preferential Contract |
| Section 215 | Freight to be Handled Without Discrimination |
| Section 216 | Railroad Must Allow Tracks of Others to Cross or Unite |
| Section 217 | Penalties for Violating Sections 213, 214, 215, or 216 – Attorney General to Enforce |
| Section 218 | Long and Short Hauls |
Article XVIII: General Provisions
| Passage | Title |
|---|
| Entire Article | Article XVIII (General Provisions) |
| Section 224 | Bonds – What Officers to Give – Liability On |
| Section 225 | Armed Men Not to be Brought into State – Exception |
| Section 226 | State Lottery – Charitable Lotteries and Charitable Gift Enterprises – Other Lotteries and Gift Enterprises Forbidden |
| Section 226a | (Repealed 1935) |
| Section 227 | Prosecution and Removal of Local Officers for Misfeasance, Malfeasance, or Neglect |
| Section 228 | Oath of Officers and Attorneys |
| Section 229 | Treason Defined – Evidence Necessary to Convict |
| Section 230 | Money Not to be Drawn from Treasury Unless Appropriated – Annual Publication of Accounts – Certain Revenues Usable Only for Highway Purposes |
| Section 231 | Suits Against the Commonwealth |
| Section 232 | Manner of Administering Oath |
| Section 233 | General Laws of Virginia in Force in This State Until Repealed |
| Section 233B | Valid or Recognized Marriage - Legal Status of Unmarried Individuals |
| Section 234 | Residence and Place of Office of Public Officers |
| Section 235 | Salaries of Public Officers Not to be Changed During Term – Deductions for Neglect |
| Section 236 | When Officers to Enter Upon Duties |
| Section 237 | Federal Office Incompatible with State Office |
| Section 238 | Discharge of Sureties on Officers’ Bonds |
| Section 239 | Disqualification from Office for Presenting or Accepting Challenge to Duel – Further Punishment |
| Section 240 | Pardon of Person Convicted of Dueling |
| Section 241 | Recovery for Wrongful Death |
| Section 242 | Just Compensation to be Made in Condemning Private Property – Right of Appeal – Jury Trial |
| Section 243 | Child Labor |
| Section 244 | Wage-Earners in Industry or of Corporations to be Paid in Money |
| Section 244a | Old Age Assistance |
| Section 245 | Revision of Statutes to Conform to Constitution |
| Section 246 | Maximum Limit on Compensation of Public Officers |
| Section 247 | Public Printing – Contract for – Officers Not to Have Interest in – Governor to Approve |
| Section 248 | Juries – Number of Jurors – Three-Fourths May Indict or Give Verdict |
| Section 249 | Employees of General Assembly – Number and Compensation |
| Section 250 | Arbitration, Method for to be Provided |
| Section 251 | Limitation of Actions to Recover Possession of Land Based on Early Patents |
| Section 252 | Houses of Reform to be Established and Maintained |
| Section 253 | Working of Penitentiary Prisoners – When and Where Permitted |
| Section 254 | Control and Support of Convicts – Leasing of Labor |
| Section 255 | Frankfort Is State Capital |
| Section 255a | Personal Right to Hunt, Fish, and Harvest Wildlife – Limitations |
Article XIX: Mode of Revision
| Passage | Title |
|---|
| Entire Article | Article XIX (Mode of Revision) |
| Section 256 | Amendments to Constitution – How Proposed and Voted Upon |
| Section 257 | Publication of Proposed Amendments |
| Section 258 | Constitutional Convention – How Proposed, Voted Upon, and Called |
| Section 259 | Number and Qualifications of Delegates |
| Section 260 | Election of Delegates – Meeting |
| Section 261 | Certification of Election and Compensation of Delegates |
| Section 262 | Determination of Election and Qualifications of Delegates – Contests |
| Section 263 | Notice of Election on Question of Calling Convention |
