|
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
First, Second, and Third Readings
Per the Virginia Constitution, every bill must be read three times before each body of the General Assembly.
First reading: The bill title is printed in the Calendar or is read by the Clerk, and the bill advances to second reading.
Second reading: The next day the bill title appears in the printed Calendar on second reading. Bills are considered in the order in which they appear on the Calendar. The Clerk reads the title of the bill a second time. A bill on second reading is amendable and debatable. If an amendment is adopted, the bill is reprinted in its final form for passage. A bill that has passed second reading with or without an amendment is called “engrossed.”
Third Reading: The next day, the engrossed bill title appears in the Calendar on third reading. The title is read a third time by the Clerk. By recorded vote, the bill is passed or defeated.
Communication and Crossover
When passed, the bill is sent over to the other body, either by the Clerk in a written communication or by a member in person, informing the other body that the bill has passed.
Cross-over is the date when the house of origin must have taken action on a bill or the bill dies. Crossover is also when the bills passed by one house must have crossed over to the other. It usually occurs midway through the legislative session.
Legislation in the other body
Legislation, when initially received by the other body, is read a first time and referred to the appropriate committee. If the committee reports the bill to the floor, it is on its second reading. When the bill is on third reading, any amendment(s) or substitute(s) will be considered, and the passage of the bill is debated and voted on.
Conference Committees
If the House amends a Senate bill, or the Senate amends a House bill, and the house of origin disagrees with the amendment, a conference committee, usually three members from each legislative body, may be formed to resolve differences. The version agreed upon by the conference committee is then submitted to each house for action.
The Governor’s Authority
The bill is then sent to the Governor for approval. He or she may sign it into law, make suggested amendments, or veto it. The General Assembly meets six weeks after the session to consider the Governor’s action.
Reconvened Session
The Assembly meets in a reconvened session to act on the amendments (which must pass both houses) and the vetoes (which to be overturned, must pass each house with a 2/3rds majority). In cases where a Governor’s amendment fails to pass both houses, the Governor has two weeks to either sign the non-amended bill or veto it. If the bill is vetoed, it returns to both houses for action.
Enactment
Bills that become law at a regular session (or the reconvened session that follows) are effective the first day of July following adjournment of the regular session unless otherwise specified.
|
