SECTION 13.1-1201. Definitions  

As used in this chapter:

"Articles of trust" means all documents constituting, at any particular time, the articles of trust of a business trust. Articles of trust includes the original articles of trust, the original certificate of trust issued by the Commission, and all amendments to the articles of trust. When the articles of trust have been restated pursuant to any articles of amendment, the articles of trust includes only the restated articles of trust and any subsequent amendments to the restated articles of trust, but does not include the articles of amendment accompanying the restated articles of trust.

"Beneficial owner" means any owner of a beneficial interest in a business trust, the fact of ownership to be determined and evidenced, whether by means of registration, the issuance of certificates or otherwise, in conformity to the applicable provisions of the governing instrument of the business trust.

"Business trust" or "domestic business trust" means an unincorporated business, trust, or association that:

A. Is governed by a governing instrument under which:

1. Property is or will be held, managed, administered, controlled, invested, reinvested, or operated by a trustee for the benefit of persons as are or may become entitled to a beneficial interest in the trust property; or

2. Business or professional activities for profit are carried on or will be carried on by one or more trustees for the benefit of persons as are or may become entitled to a beneficial interest in the trust property; and

B. Files articles of trust under § 13.1-1212 .

C. "Business trust" includes, without limitation, any of the following entities that conform with subsections A and B of this definition:

1. A trust of the type known at common law as a "business trust" or "Massachusetts trust;"

2. A trust qualifying as a real estate mortgage investment conduit under § 860 D of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or under any successor provision;

3. A trust qualifying as a real estate investment trust under §§ 856 through 859 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or under any successor provision; or

4. A "real estate investment trust" or "trust" created under former Chapter 9 (§ 6-577 et seq.) of Title 6 or former Chapter 9 (§ 6.1-343 et seq.) of Title 6.1.

"Commission" means the State Corporation Commission of Virginia.

"Foreign business trust" means a business trust formed under the laws of any jurisdiction other than this Commonwealth and denominated as such under the laws of such state or foreign country or other foreign jurisdiction.

"Foreign limited liability company" has the same meaning as specified in § 13.1-1212 .

"Foreign limited partnership" has the same meaning as specified in § 13.1-1212 .

"Governing instrument" means a trust instrument that creates a business trust and provides for the governance of the affairs of the business trust and the conduct of its business, including, without limitation, a declaration of trust.

"Other business entity" means a corporation, a professional corporation, a general or limited partnership, a registered limited liability partnership, common law trust, a limited liability company, a professional limited liability company, or any other unincorporated business. "Other business entity" shall not include a business trust.

"Person" has the same meaning as specified in § 13.1-1212 .

"State," when referring to a part of the United States, includes a state and commonwealth, and their agencies and governmental subdivisions; and a territory and insular possession, and their agencies and governmental subdivisions, of the United States.

"Trustee" means a person appointed as a trustee in accordance with the governing instrument of a business trust. "Trustee" may include a beneficial owner of a business trust.

"United States" includes any district, authority, bureau, commission, department, or other agency of the United States.

2002, c. 13.1-1212 .