Subcommittee advances bill allowing localities to petition to maintain neglected private cemeteries HB 1237 would let local governments or qualified organizations petition a circuit court for permission to maintain private cemeteries that are effectively abandoned or have unknown owners. Sponsor and remote testimony from Mayor Ernie Porter emphasized preservation and protection of historic burial sites; the subcommittee reported the bill 9–0.

A new bill could pave the way for preserving Virginia's forgotten cemeteries, giving localities the power to restore neglected burial sites and protect our history.

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#VA #CommunitySupport #VirginiaCemeteries #LegalReform #CitizenPortal

After testimony about destroyed graves, Senate panel backs mandatory cemetery mapping in Northern Virginia The Senate Committee on Local Government voted to report SB44, a bill requiring Planning District 8 localities to show cemetery locations on maps, after testimony that historic cemeteries have been damaged or destroyed. Supporters said mandatory mapping would prevent future losses.

A Senate bill aiming to map historic cemeteries in Northern Virginia has gained momentum following heartbreaking testimonies about the destruction of sacred burial sites.

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#VA #VirginiaCemeteries #CommunityMapping #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

🪦 Leaning Tombstone

Exploring Old Chapel Cemetery est. 1789, in Milleood, VA.

#gravestone #cemetery #graveyard #historic #oldgraveyard #virginia #oldcemetery #oldtowncemetery #exploration #northernvirginia #tombstone #🪦 #virginiacemeteries #photooftheday