Official government materials; use of specific geographic terminology.

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Using Specific Names for Certain Places

This law requires Virginia's state agencies to use certain names when talking about specific geographic areas in official documents.

What This Bill Does

• Adds a new section to the Code of Virginia that sets rules for using specific terms in official government materials.
• Defines 'official government material' as any written, printed, or electronic document made by state agencies.
• Requires state agencies to use the names 'Judea' and 'Samaria' when talking about land given back to Israel from Jordan after the 1967 Six-Day War.
• Does not allow state agencies to use the term 'West Bank' in official materials for these regions.

Who It Names or Affects

• State agencies of Virginia
• People who read or create official government documents

Terms To Know

Official government material

Any written, printed, or electronic document made by a state agency.

State agency

Every department, division, office, board, commission, and institution of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law does not specify what happens if an agency breaks these rules.
• It is unclear how this will affect existing official materials that use different terms.
• The bill text does not provide details on enforcement or penalties for non-compliance.

Official Summary Text

Official terminology for certain geographic locations.

Current Bill Text

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered
2.2-600.1
, relating to official terminology for certain geographic regions.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered
2.2-600.1
as follows:

§
2.2-600.1
. Use of specific geographic terminology in official government materials.

2 A. As used in this section:

"Official government material" means
any written, printed, or electronic official material, including but not limited to any guidance, rule, material, briefing, press release, or written communication prepared by a state agency.

"State agency" means every department, division, office, board, commission, and institution of the Commonwealth.

B. It is the intent of the General Assembly to refer to the land restored to
I
srael from Jordan during
the 1967 Six-Day Wa
r
by its historical name of "Judea and Samaria," with the land south of Jerusalem being considered "Judea" and the land north of Jerusalem being considered "Samaria."

C. A state agency shall use the terms "Judea" and "Samaria" in
official government materials when referring to the regions described in subsection B.

D. No state agency shall use the term "West Bank" to refer to Judea and Samaria in an official government material.

E. No state agency shall use state funds to create any government material that refers to Judea and Samaria as the "West Bank."