Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 45.1-361.10:1 as follows:

§45.1-361.10:1. Plats or maps under this chapter.

A. Each plat or map produced for any purpose under this chapter that describes or depicts any acreage that differs from the acreage recorded in the records of the county or counties in which the property is located shall be certified by a licensed land surveyor.

B. Any plat or map describing or depicting any property whose acreage differs from the acreage recorded in the records of the county or counties in which the property is located may be certified by a licensed land surveyor or a licensed professional engineer.

C. The certification shall state that the acreage indicated on the plat or map does not differ from the acreage recorded in the records of the county or that the property has been surveyed and documentation has been filed in the county or counties of record in compliance with subsection D.

D. If the acreage of any property on the plat or map differs from the acreage recorded in the records of the county or counties in which the property is located, the operator shall:

1. Cause the property to be surveyed by a licensed land surveyor in the Commonwealth of Virginia;

2. Record a deed of correction or other necessary documentation to correct the acreage in the records of the county or counties in which the property is located; and,

3. Pay all costs associated with the survey and the record change.

E. In the event that any person submits an application containing a plat that violates the provisions of this section, all damaged mineral owners in that unit will be deemed, by operation of law, to be fully-paid participants in the unit.

F. This section applies to any plat or map produced for any purpose under this chapter and submitted on or after January 1, 1990.

2.  That the provisions of this act shall become effective on January 1, 2013.