Calendars and the Order of Business
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Calendars
The Calendar is the daily printed agenda of business for each house. The Senate and House Calendars are comprised of the bills and resolutions that have been reported from standing committees to their respective chamber for debate and passage by the full body’s membership. Unique customs and practices of the Senate and House make their calendars slightly different.
Organization of the Daily Calendars
Each daily calendar is divided into First, Second and Third Readings (as required by Article IV, Section 11 of the Constitution of Virginia). The bills and resolutions in each reading are subdivided into an Uncontested and Regular Calendar. The Uncontested Calendar includes bills or resolutions which received no negative votes or abstentions when reported from committee; the Regular Calendar includes all bills or resolutions which received at least one “nay” vote or abstention when reported from committee.
First Reading requires no action. It is merely an announcement to the body that the bill or resolution has been reported from committee. Legislation on its Second Reading will have any committee or floor amendments or substitutes agreed to by the body. This is also where full debate occurs in the House of Delegates. Legislation on the Third Reading is up for final passage. Debate in the Senate occurs on Third Reading.
The Calendar also contains information on scheduled committee meetings and public hearings. For a detailed description of the Senate Calendar, see the presentation titled "Introduction to the Daily Calendar".
Order of Business: A Typical Senate Floor Session
SENATE OF VIRGINIA
AT THE APPOINTED HOUR
Call to Order
Period of Devotions
Roll Call
Reading of the Journal
MORNING HOUR
Communications (messages) from the House of Delegates or Governor
Recognition of Visitors
Resolutions, Petitions and Bills
AFTER COMPLETED MORNING HOUR
Consideration of the Calendar
Memorial Resolutions
Commending Resolutions
Points of Personal Privilege
Announcements
Recess
Adjournment
In the House of Delegates, the order of business follows a similar format. The biggest difference is the ability of Delegates to move Calendar items from regular to uncontested. In addition, points of personal privilege are delivered before the Calendar is called.
Introduction to the Daily Calendar (.pdf)
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Directions: Click on the arrow in the top right corner of the image below to access the slide deck in a separate window. Otherwise, use the scroll bar or scroll feature on your mouse to navigate through the slides. The slides are in portable document file (.pdf) format
Additional Resources Needed: None
Introduction to the Daily Calendar.pdfPage updated
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