AN INTRODUCTION TO THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Forms of Legislative Proposals

The most common form of legislation in the General Assembly is a bill. A bill is a proposed law presented to the legislature by a Senator or Delegate for consideration and possible enactment. The legislator who introduces the bill is known as the patron or the sponsor. A bill may originate in either house of the General Assembly. A bill, as a rule, amends, adds, or repeals sections of the Code of Virginia.

A Resolution is another form of action the legislature may take. A resolution is an expression of a mandate, order, opinion, sense, feeling, or sentiment of one house or both houses. It does not have the force of a law and does not require the Governor’s signature.

A Joint Resolution is a resolution that can be initiated by either house and must have the concurrence of both. Such a resolution is captioned House or Senate Joint Resolution, depending on the body of origin. Often, a resolution is a commendation or memorial. Sometimes, the legislature will pass a joint resolution to instruct an independent state entity to conduct a legislative study related to an important issue such as the tax structure, mental health treatment, or child day care regulations.

Because the Virginia Legislature meets only part time during the year, the legislative process is furthered by the use of legislative studies which are conducted while the Assembly is not in session. Sometimes, legislation is introduced based on recommendations of a legislative study. Advocates need to be alert to these studies as they are in progress.

How is a bill introduced?

Many times, a Senator or Delegate will be approached by a constituent, advocate, or interest group with an idea for a bill. The idea is then drafted into a bill and is introduced. At that time, the clerk of the Senate assigns the bill to a standing committee, and in the House, the Speaker assigns the bill to a standing committee. The committee chair then chooses whether to send the bill to a subcommittee or to only hear the bill before the full committee.

If the bill is assigned to subcommittee, the smaller group of legislators will hear testimony from the patron and other interested parties and vote on the proposed legislation. Then the chair of the subcommittee will report the subcommittee’s recommendation to the full committee. The patron will present the proposed legislation and field questions from committee members. The committee will also hear testimony from the public in support and in opposition to the bill.

After the committee hears the patron and any other witnesses, the committee has several options when the chair calls for a vote. One of the following actions may be taken and recorded by the committee clerk:

1. Report: The majority of the committee approves the bill, either in its original or amended form, and it is reported to the floor.
2. Defeat: The committee rejects a motion to report the bill, and there is no further action by the committee.
3. Pass by Indefinitely (PBI): This action allows the committee to reconsider the legislation prior to the deadline established by the procedural resolution that sets the schedule for consideration of bills. It is extremely unlikely that a PBId bill will be brought up again.
4. Table: A bill “laid on the table” can be reconsidered prior to the deadline established by the procedural resolution that sets the schedule for consideration of bills. Tabling is a gentler version of PBI – it is still unlikely that the bill will be brought up again for consideration. This is often a gentler way to “kill” a bill.
4. Continue/Carry Over: A bill introduced in an even-numbered year session may be continued or carried over to an odd-numbered year session for further action by the committee or study during the interim.
5. Pass by for the day: The committee is not ready to act on the bill. If the bill is not taken up before the deadline, then it is considered Left in Committee or No Action Taken.
6. No Action or Left in Committee: No motion is made on the bill and it dies at the time of the committee action deadline.
7. Incorporate into other Legislation: The bill is incorporated, or included into another bill through an amendment or a substitute. The bill may have similar language or duplicate language with the same intent.

Center Priorities (.pdf)

Bulletin Inserts
Child Support (.pdf)
Environment (.pdf)
Housing Trust (.pdf)
Indigent Defense (.pdf)
Payday Lending (.pdf)
Minimum Wage (.pdf)

Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Guide (.doc)
Advocacy Portal (link)
Lending Info. (.ppt)
Richmond Map (.pdf)

For Small Groups
Eco-Stewardship (link)
Prayers for Creation (link)
Poverty Diet (link)

Policy Briefs
EITC (.doc)
TANF Child Support (.doc)
Payday Loans (.doc)
Healing Creation (.doc)
Child Ombudsman (.doc)
Affordable Housing (.doc)
Indigent Defense (.doc)
Minimum Wage (.doc)
Wage & EITC (.doc)
VA Tribes (.link)

Actions
Lending Petition (link)
Title Petition (link)
Wage Petition (link)

Reports
Budget Analysis (.pdf)
Food Stamps (.doc)
Lottery Study (link)

FAQ's (link)

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