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Bill would require two-thirds local vote and referendum to relocate veteran war memorials; committee does not report it
Summary
Senate Bill 1429 would have required a mandatory referendum and a two-thirds local vote before a locality could move or alter a veteran war memorial after a 40-year lifespan; the bill failed to report (ayes 9, noes 6).
Senate Committee on Local Government — Richmond, Jan. 13, 2025 — Senator Steven Servant introduced Senate Bill 1429, a proposal to require localities to hold mandatory referenda and secure a two-thirds local vote before altering or relocating municipal veteran war memorials that have passed a 40-year lifespan. Supporters said the bill protects memorials and families’ interests by creating a higher democratic threshold; opponents said it would lock in controversial memorials and place a high bar preventing necessary local decisions about public symbols.
Senator Servant said the bill “requires the referendum to be mandatory and requires a two-thirds vote of that locality,” and described the measure as expanding existing protections to ensure community consensus on monument disposition. Testimony in support included multiple veterans and veterans’ groups who said a supermajority and public vote would encourage civil, democratic resolution of disputes.
Opponents argued that the bill would limit local governments’ ability to respond and that elected officials are accountable through elections. Senator Vinh said the bill “gives quite the veto to a small group of people” and cautioned against preventing localities from responding to changing public views.
Outcome: A motion to pass the bill by indefinite postponement failed to gain the necessary support; the committee recorded ayes 9, noes 6 and the bill failed to report out of the committee.
