§ 1-511. English designated the official language of the Commonwealth
English shall be designated as the official language of the Commonwealth. Except as provided by law, no state agency or local government shall be required to provide and no state agency or local government shall be prohibited from providing any documents, information, literature or other written materials in any language other than English. 1996, c. […]
§ 1-512. Poet laureate
The honorary position of Poet Laureate of Virginia is hereby created. The Governor may appoint a poet laureate from a list of nominees submitted by the Poetry Society of Virginia. Each poet laureate shall serve a term of two years with no restrictions on reappointment. 1997, c. 299, § 7.1-43; 2005, c. 839.
§ 1-506. Flag of the Commonwealth
The flag of the Commonwealth shall be a deep blue field, with a circular white centre of the same material. Upon this circle shall be painted or embroidered, to show on both sides alike, the coat of arms of the Commonwealth, as described in § 1-500 for the obverse of the great seal of the […]
§ 1-507. Governor to prescribe size of flag
The Governor shall regulate the size and dimensions of the flag proper for forts, arsenals and public buildings, for ships-of-war and merchant marine, for troops in the field, respectively, and for any other purpose, according to his discretion by proclamation. Code 1950, § 7-33; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-33; 2005, c. 839.
§ 1-508. Director of General Services to have available flags of the Commonwealth for sale
The Director of the Department of General Services shall have available at all times flags of the Commonwealth, to be offered for sale to the public in such manner as the Director may determine. Such flags shall be of good quality, shall conform to the specifications prescribed in § 1-506, shall be offered in the […]
§ 1-509. When flag to be suspended over Capitol
During the sessions of either house of the General Assembly the flag of the Commonwealth shall be kept raised over the respective chambers of the Capitol, or other place of session, if practicable, as directed by the Director of the Department of General Services and the Chief of the Virginia Capitol Police in consultation with […]
§ 1-510. Official emblems and designations
The following are hereby designated official emblems and designations of the Commonwealth: Artisan Center — “Virginia Artisans Center,” located in the City of Waynesboro. Bat — Virginia Big-eared bat (Corynorhinos townsendii virginianus). Beverage — Milk. Bird — Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). Blue Ridge Folklore State Center — Blue Ridge Institute located in the village of […]
§ 1-504. Uses and tax on lesser seal
The lesser seal shall be affixed to all grants for lands and writs of election issued by the Governor; to all letters of pardon and reprieve; to all commissions, civil and military, signed by the Governor, and to all other papers, requiring a seal, authorized to be issued by the Governor for the purpose of […]
§ 1-505. Seals deemed property of Commonwealth; unauthorized use; penalty
The seals of the Commonwealth shall be deemed the property of the Commonwealth; and no persons shall exhibit, display, or in any manner utilize the seals or any facsimile or representation of the seals of the Commonwealth for nongovernmental purposes unless such use is specifically authorized by law. Except for the authorized commercial use of […]
§ 1-501. The lesser seal
The lesser seal of the Commonwealth shall be one and nine sixteenths inches in diameter, and be engraved with the device and inscriptions contained in the obverse of the great seal. Code 1950, § 7-27; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-27; 2005, c. 839.