Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That §23-295 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 24 of Title 23 a section numbered 23-295.2 as follows:

§23-295. Board of Regents of Gunston Hall; Board of Visitors for Gunston Hall.

There is hereby created the Board of Regents of Gunston Hall and the Board of Visitors for Gunston Hall. Membership of both collegial bodies shall be pursuant to the terms and conditions of the deed of gift of Gunston Hall from Louis Hertle to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The duties for the two boards are prescribed in Chapter 138 of the 1932 Acts of Assembly and, Chapter 175 of the 1948 Acts of Assembly, and this chapter. As such, the Board of Regents is declared an educational institution with all the rights, powers, privileges, and immunities under law. The Board of Regents shall manage, maintain and operate Gunston Hall and accept and administer gifts of real and personal property made for the benefit of Gunston Hall. The Board of Visitors, as prescribed by the deed of gift, shall be constituted of three fit and competent persons appointed by the Governor. Such persons shall, by their education, training, or experience, be knowledgeable in the fields of history, museum administration, fundraising, and education or outreach.

In accordance with §2.2-106, any administrative head of Gunston Hall shall be appointed by the Governor to serve at his pleasure. The administrative head shall protect and further the interests of the Commonwealth as set out in the deed of gift and the laws of this chapter.

§23-295.2. Certain powers of the Board of Visitors.

A. In fulfillment of its responsibilities under the deed of gift, the Board of Visitors shall examine and, by November 15 each year, report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the Board of Regents and the manner in which Gunston Hall is managed and supervised. To fully address such responsibility, the Board of Visitors shall, with the input of the Board of Regents, Gunston Hall staff and employees, and interested members of the surrounding community, prepare a long-term plan and examine the extent to which the Board of Regents maintains the capacity to fulfill such plan. The Board of Visitors shall meet at least four times per year at Gunston Hall, at least one time of which shall be within standard hours of operation for the purpose of observing a variety of educational tours and outreach initiatives.

B. The Board of Visitors shall appoint a Board of Advisors to serve at its pleasure, one of the members whom shall be the president of George Mason University or his designee and one of the members of whom shall be a resident of Mason Neck.

The Board of Advisors shall report, annually and by July 1, to the Board of Visitors on the following:

1. The performance of Gunston Hall in meeting its mission and purpose, as set out in the deed of gift by Louis Hertle, to honor the principles of just government and civic righteousness exemplified in the life and work of George Mason with the hope and expectation that such a memorial will serve to strengthen the adherence of all who may visit the memorial to the fundamental views on governmental and social obligations and privileges expressed in the declaration of rights;

2. The adequacy of Gunston Hall administration in representing the Commonwealth's interests to educate the general public regarding the significance and influence of George Mason for his unique contribution to the universal cause of human rights;

3. The provision of access, activities, and experiences for students in the Commonwealth and the coordination of such access, activities, and experiences with the Standards of Learning;

4. The availability and range of historically accurate, interactive, high-quality educational tours and experiences, seminars, and outreach initiatives offered to students, educators, researchers, and the general public; and

5. Long-term planning and budget matters affecting such issues described in this section.

2.  The initial terms of the members of the Board of Advisors appointed pursuant to this act shall be staggered as follows: (i) three members appointed to a term of four years, (ii) two members appointed to a term of three years, and (iii) one member appointed to a term of two years. Thereafter, the terms of members shall be four years.