The Legislative Process
The General Assembly of Virginia meets annually. The annual session begins on the second Wednesday in January. During even-numbered years, the session continues for 60 consecutive days in order to provide time for biennial budget negotiations. During odd-numbered years, it continues for 45 days. 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 she or he 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 postponed.
The opening day of each session is mostly organizational and ceremonial. The Governor addresses both bodies in the House chamber to present the “State of the State” address. This occasion allows the Governor to present the legislative priorities of the executive branch. The Governor typically presents the Budget Bill on the second day of the even-numbered years.
The Senate
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.
Standing Committees are elected by the Senate. These committees consider all legislation introduced, hold hearings, and report their recommendations to the full Senate. These committees meet at regularly scheduled times and on call during each session and also between sessions. Each Standing Committee Chairperson may organize Subcommittees 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. These committees function the same as the House of Delegates Standing Committees: They consider all legislation introduced, hold hearings and report recommendations to the House.
House of Delegates
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.
Standing Committees in the House are appointed by the Speaker. In other regards, they are similar to Senate Standing Committees. In conducting their business, Standing Committees are governed by the Rules of the House.
Rules
Most legislative procedures are traditional or it is established by Senate and House Rules committees though they may be changed at any regular session of the Assembly.
Forms of Legislative Proposals
The most common form of legislation in the General Assembly usually deals with the "bill." A bill is a proposed law presented to the legislature for consideration and possible enactment. A bill may originate in either chamber (House or Senate) of the General Assembly. Bills, as a rule, amend, add, or repeal sections of the Code of Virginia.
Emergency bills must be noted as such and passed by 2/3rds of the Chamber. Emergency bills take effect immediately.
Resolutions are another form of action the Legislature can take. Resolutions are expressions 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.
House or Senate Resolutions do not normally go beyond the bounds of the respective house and deals with internal affairs or interests alone.
Joint Resolutions can be initiated by either house and must have the concurrence of both. Such a resolution is captioned House or Senate Resolution depending on the body of origin.
Studies
Because the Virginian Legislature is a short term, the legislative process is furthered by the use of legislative studies involving legislators and on occasion citizens in developing legislation to be introduced.
Advocates need to be alert to these studies as they are in progress.
Cross-Over
Cross-over is the date when those bills passed by one house must have crossed over to the other. Sometimes they cross over sooner, but this date is the deadline the legislature has set for itself. It usually occurs midway through the Legislative Session.
Conference Committees
As each house completes its work on the other house’s bills, those where changes have been made necessitate committees of members of each house to work out the differences.
The Governor in Virginia
Legislation passed by both Houses goes to the Governor. 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 actions. Among all the governors of the 50 states, Virginia's has as much authority and power as any. That affects the legislative process, for his or her word goes a long way in determining the fate of legislation. Also, when legislation becomes law, it is the Governor’s administration that does the implementation—another place where his or her authority is exercised in shaping the way legislation is carried out.
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