The Legislative Branch is the Virginia General Assembly, a bi-cameral legislature consisting of the Senate of Virginia and the Virginia House of Delegates.  One hundred forty members of the General Assembly establish public policy through the enactment of legislation.  

Organization of the House

The House of Delegates consists of 100 members. Each member represents approximately 80,000 citizens. The term of office for a member of the House of Delegates is two years. Each member receives an annual salary of $17,640. The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the House and is elected by the House in even-numbered years for a two-year term. The Speaker's duties are dictated by the Rules of the House. Among these duties are the assigning of bills to committee and appointing the membership of the 14 House standing committees.

The Clerk of the House is elected by the House in even-numbered years and continues in office until another is chosen. The Clerk is responsible for the administration of the House under the direction of the Speaker.

Organization of the Senate

The Senate of Virginia consists of 40 members. Each member is elected for a term of four years and receives an annual salary of $18,000. A Senator represents approximately 200,000 citizens of the Commonwealth. The Lieutenant Governor is the presiding officer of the Senate and is elected in a statewide election for a four-year term. In the event of the Lieutenant Governor’s absence, the President pro tempore carries out the duties of the presiding officer. The President pro tempore is elected by the Senate for a term of four years.

The Clerk of the Senate is elected by the Senate. The Clerk's duties are overseeing the daily operations of the Senate, maintaining all Senate records, keeping the daily Journal, and referring bills to committees.