A Look at the Virginia General Assembly
Legislative Terms
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A Look at Legislative Terms
A Look at Legislative Terms
Amendment
A change made to legislation in committee or on the chamber floor that adds to, revises, or deletes language from the legislation.
Biennium
A two-year term of legislative activity, usually used in association with the state budget.
Bill
A proposal to amend, repeal or add sections to the Code of Virginia or Acts of Assembly.
Calendar
The daily printed agenda of business for the Senate or the House of Delegates. The Calendar also contains scheduled committee meetings and public hearings.
Capital
The seat of government for a state that is usually a city. For example, the capital of Virginia is Richmond and the capital of North Carolina is Raleigh.
Capitol
A building that serves as the seat of government.
Committee
A group of legislators from the Senate or the House of Delegates organized for the purpose of considering and deciding on whether or not a bill is sent to the full Senate or House of Delegates.
Code of VA
All of the laws of the Commonwealth arranged alphabetically.
Engrossed
A state in the legislative process when a bill passes the second reading in the house of origin. This would include any changes that were agreed to by either the full Senate or House of Delegates.
Enrolled
Legislation which has passed both the Senate and House of Delegates. It has been signed by the Presiding Officer in the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates.
Journal
The official record of legislative actions and proceedings of the Senate or House of Delegates.
Legislator
An elected member of a legislative body. In the Senate, a legislator is called a Senator. In the House of Delegates, a legislator is called a Delegate.
Session
The period of time for which the legislature officially convenes. The Virginia General Assembly meets here every year beginning on the second Wednesday in January for 60 calendar days in even-numbered years and 30 calendar days in odd-years (with the option to extend for 30 additional days).
Sunset
The expiration date of a law.
Veto
Action by which the Governor refuses to sign legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly.
Vote
Formal expression of will or decision by the legislative body.
Legislative Terms (Interactive Activity)
Legislative Terms (Interactive Activity)
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Directions: Study the legislative terms and definitions above. Click the activity below and close this window. For each legislative term in the interactive activity, three definitions will appear. Only one definition matches the legislative term. There are 16 legislative terms in this activity.
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