Bill Text: VA HB1249 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Nonresident plaintiff; security costs upon suit.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-04-08 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0745) [HB1249 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HB1249-Enrolled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §17.1-607 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§17.1-607. Security for costs upon suit by nonresident.
In any plaintiff's suit or action by a nonresident
of the Commonwealth, except when an such plaintiff is
indigent is plaintiff, there may be a suggestion on the record in court, or,
if the case be at rules, on the rule docket, by a defendant, or any officer of
the court, that the plaintiff is not a resident of this Commonwealth and the
security is required of him. After sixty days from such suggestion, the suit or
action shall, by order of the court, be dismissed, unless, before the
dismissal, it is proven that plaintiff is a resident of the Commonwealth or
security be given before the court, or its clerk, for the payment of the costs
and damages in the court in which the suit or action is instituted which may be
awarded to the defendant, and of the fees due, or to become due, in such suit
or action to the officers of the court. The, upon motion by any party to
such suit or action and for good cause shown, the court may order that the
plaintiff post security within 60 days following entry of such order in an amount
determined to be sufficient by such court but not exceeding $250 for the
payment of costs in the court in which the suit or action is instituted and
that may be awarded to the defendant. Any security shall so given
may be by (i) payment to the moving party or his counsel, who shall hold
such payment in trust in an interest-bearing account for the benefit of the
prevailing party in such suit or action; (ii) payment into the court pursuant
to §8.01-600; or (iii) bond, payable to the Commonwealth, but there need
only be one obligor therein, if he such obligor be sufficient and
a resident of the Commonwealth. The court before whom, or before whose clerk,
such bond or other payment made pursuant to this section is given, may,
on motion by a defendant or officer, give judgment for so much as he is
entitled to by virtue of such bond or other payment made pursuant to this
section.
As used in this section, the term "plaintiff" shall also apply to a counterclaim plaintiff, cross-claim plaintiff, or third-party plaintiff, and the term "defendant" shall also apply to a counterclaim defendant, cross-claim defendant, or third-party defendant.
