AN INTRODUCTION TO THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly of Virginia, comprised of the House of Delegates and Senate, meets annually. The annual session begins on the second Wednesday in January.

During even-numbered years, the session continues for 60 consecutive days. It is longer in order to provide time for the biennial (2-year) budget. (i.e. 2008,2010,2012)

During odd-numbered years, it continues for approximately 45 days. (i.e. 2007,2009,2011)

Any session may be extended for up to thirty days by a two-thirds majority vote of the General Assembly members.

In addition, the General Assembly may be convened for a Special Session at any time. A Special Session can be called by the Governor, if he or she determines that it is necessary and advisable to do so. The General Assembly also reconvenes six weeks after the annual session to act on any legislation the Governor has vetoed or amended.

The opening day of each session is mostly organizational. It is also when the Governor addresses both bodies in the House chamber to present the “State of the Commonwealth” address. This occasion allows the Governor to present the executive branch’s legislative priorities.

The Governor typically presents his or her Budget Bill in December.

What is the makeup of our General Assembly?

There are 40 Senators; each elected for a four-year term. Each Senator represents approximately 155,000 persons.

The Lt. Governor is President of the Senate, and has no vote except to break a tie.

In the Senate, Standing Committees are elected. These committees consider all legislation introduced by the Senate, hold hearings, and report their recommendations to the full Senate. These committees meet at regularly scheduled times and on call during each session and may also meet between sessions. Each Standing Committee Chairperson may organize Subcommittees, which are composed of legislators who are members of that committee to consider categories of bills and make recommendations to the full committee.

Consideration is generally given to the background and vocation of the Senators, as well as their requests in making committee appointments. For example, the Courts of Justice committee has a high proportion of attorneys as compared to other professions.

There are 100 Delegates; each elected for a two-year term. Each Delegate represents approximately 63,000 citizens.

The Speaker of the House presides over the deliberations of the House and is elected by the House from among its members on the first day of the even numbered session. The speaker is elected for a two-year term.

Unlike the Senate Committees, Standing Committees in the House are appointed by the Speaker. In other regards, they are similar to Senate Standing Committees.

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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