Authority: Title 10.1, Chapters 22 and 23, Code of Virginia.

A. Consistent with the provisions of § 4-13.00 of this act, general fund appropriations for historic and commemorative attractions identified within this item or for the purposes stated in § 10.1-2211.1 or § 10.1-2211.2, Code of Virginia, shall be disbursed as described within this item and shall not be subject to any other restrictions or statutory requirements unless specified within this item. Any other general fund appropriations for historic and commemorative attractions shall be matched by local or private sources, either in cash or in-kind, in amounts at least equal to the appropriation and which are deemed to be acceptable to the department.

B. In emergency situations which shall be defined as those posing a threat to life, safety or property, § 10.1-2213, Code of Virginia, shall not apply.

C. Pursuant to the provisions of § 10.1-2211.1, Code of Virginia, as amended by Chapter 639, 2018 Session of the General Assembly, out of the amounts provided for Financial Preservation shall be paid $23,100 the first year and $23,100 the second year from the general fund grants to the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (VASSAR) and the Revolutionary War memorial associations caring for cemeteries as set forth in subsection B of § 10.1-2211.1, Code of Virginia. Such sums shall be expended by the associations for the routine maintenance of their respective Revolutionary War cemeteries and graves and for the graves of Revolutionary War soldiers and sailors not otherwise cared for in other cemeteries, and in erecting and caring for markers, memorials, and monuments to the memory of such soldiers, sailors, and persons rendering service to the Patriot cause in the Revolutionary War.

D. Included in this appropriation is $210,000 the first year and $210,000 the second year in nongeneral funds from the Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund to support the Department of Historic Resources' required reviews of transportation projects.

E. The Department of Historic Resources is authorized to accept a devise of certain real property under the will of Elizabeth Rust Williams known as Clermont Farm located on Route 7 east of the town of Berryville in Clarke County. If, after due consideration of options, the department determines that the property should be sold or leased to a different public or private entity, and notwithstanding the provisions of § 2.2-1156, Code of Virginia, then the department is further authorized to sell or lease such property, provided such sale or lease is not in conflict with the terms of the will. The proceeds of any such sale or lease shall be deposited to the Historic Resources Fund established under § 10.1-2202.1, Code of Virginia.

F. The Department of Historic Resources shall follow and provide input on federal legislation designed to establish a new national system of recognizing and funding Presidential Libraries for those entities that are not included in the 1955 Presidential Library Act.

G.1. Included in this appropriation is $10,250,000 the first year and $5,250,000 the second year from the general fund to be deposited into the Virginia Battlefield Preservation Fund for grants to be made in accordance with § 10.1-2202.4, Code of Virginia. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. This appropriation shall be deemed sufficient to meet the provisions of § 2.2-1509.4, Code of Virginia.

2. From the amounts in this item, $2,250,000 the first year and $2,250,000 the second year shall be granted to the battlefield organization that manages the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District in order that they may effectively promote heritage tourism, increase public access to preserved lands, and improve the visitor experience at already preserved battlefield sites throughout the Shenandoah Valley. Such improvements when completed shall result in the development of seven new battlefield parks across four counties. Improvements shall include highway signage, parking facilities, trailheads, restroom facilities, trails, interpretive signage, environmental protections, fencing, the completion of the Shenandoah Valley Civil War Museum, and the creation of the New Market History and Education Center. Such grants shall be exempt from the matching fund and easement recordation requirements of § 10.1-2202.4, Code of Virginia.

H. The Department of Historic Resources is authorized to require applicants for tax credits for historic rehabilitation projects under § 58.1-339.2, Code of Virginia, to provide an audit by a certified public accountant licensed in Virginia, in accordance with guidelines developed by the department in consultation with the Auditor of Public Accounts. The department is also authorized to contract with tax, financial, and other professionals to assist the department with the oversight of historic rehabilitation projects for which tax credits are anticipated.

I.1. Included in this Item is $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year from the general fund to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves and cemeteries.

2. Pursuant to § 10.1-2211.2., Code of Virginia, $34,875 the first year and $34,875 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves at the East End Cemetery in Henrico County, Virginia and the Evergreen Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

3. Pursuant to § 10.1-2211.2., Code of Virginia, $960 the first year and $960 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves at the Daughters of Zion Cemetery in Charlottesville, Virginia.

4. Pursuant to § 10.1-2211.2, Code of Virginia, $1,330 the first year and $1,330 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Portsmouth, Virginia.

5. Pursuant to § 10.1-2211.2, Code of Virginia, $385 the first year and $385 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves at the African-American Burial Ground for the Enslaved at Belmont and Mt. Zion Old Baptist Church Cemetery in Loudoun County, Virginia.

6. Pursuant to § 10.1-2211.2, Code of Virginia, $385 the first year and $385 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves at the New River and West Dublin Cemeteries in Pulaski County, Virginia.

7. Pursuant to §10.1-2211.2, Code of Virginia, $2,340 the first year and $2,340 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia.

8. Pursuant to § 10.1-2211.2, Code of Virginia, $3,855 the first year and $3,855 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves at the following cemeteries in Hampton, Virginia: 212 graves at Bassonette's Cemetery, 339 graves at Elmerton Cemetery, 14 graves at Queen Street Cemetery, 29 graves at Pleasant Shade Cemetery, 15 graves at the Tucker Family Cemetery, 125 graves at Union Street Cemetery and 37 graves at Good Samaritan Cemetery.

9. Pursuant to § 10.1-2211.2, Code of Virginia, $975 the first year and $975 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves at Matthews, People's and Smith Street Cemeteries in Martinsville, Virginia.

10. Pursuant to § 10.1-2211.2, Code of Virginia, $9,715 the first year and $9,715 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves at six cemeteries in Alexandria, Virginia.

11. Pursuant to § 10.1-2211.2, Code of Virginia, $485 the first year and $485 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves at Wake Forest and Westview Cemeteries in Montgomery County, Virginia.

12. Pursuant to § 10.1-2211.2, Code of Virginia, $455 the first year and $455 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves at Mountain View Cemetery in Radford, Virginia.

13. Pursuant to § 10.1-2211.2, Code of Virginia, $1,330 the first year and $1,330 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves at Calloway, Lomax, and Mount Salvation Cemeteries in Arlington County, Virginia.

14. Pursuant to § 10.1-2211.2, Code of Virginia, $2,000 the first year and $2,000 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves at Newtown Cemetery in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

15. Pursuant to § 10.1-2211.2, Code of Virginia, $260 the first year and $260 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves at Cuffeytown Cemetery in Chesapeake, Virginia.

16. Pursuant to § 10.1-2211.2, Code of Virginia, $180 the first year and $180 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the preservation and care of historical African American graves at Stanton Family Cemetery in Buckingham County, Virginia.

J. The Department of Historic Resources is authorized to collect administrative fees for the provision of easement and stewardship services. Revenues generated from the easement fee schedule shall be deposited into the Preservation Easement Fund pursuant to § 10.1-2202.2., Code of Virginia.

K. The Department of Historic Resources is authorized to enter into an agreement with one or more Virginia-based Historically Black Colleges and Universities to provide paid internships to enrolled students for data collection and outreach activities to expand Virginia's historical property catalogue to include underrepresented African American and indigenous communities. Included within the amounts in this item, $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for the internship program.

L. Consistent with the provisions of § 10.1-2214, Code of Virginia, $159,479 the first year and $159,479 the second year from the general fund is provided to maintain an underwater archaeology program.

M. The Department of Historic Resources is authorized to enter into an agreement with one or more indigenous Virginia tribes to identify and protect their cultural properties and to provide paid internships to students for data collection and outreach activities that expand Virginia's historical property catalogue to include underrepresented indigenous properties. Included within the amounts in this item, $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for paid internships for data collection.

N. Out of the amounts in this Item, $1,000,000 the first year from the general fund shall be deposited to the Virginia Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Historic Preservation Fund, as established in § 10.1-2202.5, Code of Virginia. Such funds and funding authorized in paragraph M, Item 386, Chapter 1, 2023 Acts of Assembly, Special Session I, may be used for the preservation of historic sites. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 10.1-2202.5 F, Code of Virginia, grants from the Fund may be awarded to eligible recipients provided that the grantee provides a perpetual public benefit to be determined by the Director.

O. Out of the amounts in this item, $35,000,000 the first year from the general fund is provided to establish a competitive grant program to support improvements at significant historic sites in Virginia in anticipation of the country's Semiquincentennial. The department shall develop guidelines and establish procedures for awarding this funding, which shall include eligibility criteria for applicants, a one-to-one match from grantees, and any other criteria the department determines reasonable to carry out the provisions of this paragraph. Of the amount authorized, the department is authorized to recover costs incurred in administering this program. Any balances for the purposes specified in this paragraph which are unexpended on June 30, 2025, shall not revert to the general fund but shall be carried forward and reappropriated.