Your Key to the Virginia General Assembly
How a Bill Becomes a Law
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Key Players in How a Bill Becomes a Law in Virginia
Key Players in How a Bill Becomes a Law in Virginia
General Assembly
General Assembly
Starting on the second Wednesday in January of each year, the Senate and the House of Delegates meet in Richmond.
Other Key Points
Other Key Points
In even-numbered years, such as 2024, the Virginia General Assembly meets for 60 days.
In odd-numbered years, such as 2025, the Virginia General Assembly meets for 45 calendar days.
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The Senate meets in the west wing of the Capitol.
There are 40 seats in the Senate.
The House of Delegates meets in the east wing of the Capitol.
There are 100 seats in the House of Delegates.
Senate and House
Senate and House
The Senate and House of Delegates make up the General Assembly. Members of the General Assembly create and change the laws of Virginia. They are elected by the people in Virginia.
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Other Key Points
Senators do not have term limits.
Delegates also do not have term limits.
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Do you know your Senator and Delegate? The "Who's My Legislator?" is your key to that answer!
You will need your street address to unlock who represents you.
Key Steps to How a Bill Becomes a Law in Virginia
Key Steps to How a Bill Becomes a Law in Virginia
Gathering Ideas
Gathering Ideas
Senators and Delegates meet with their constituents to get ideas for new laws or to change current laws. Senators and Delegates write the ideas into bills.
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Other Key Points
Each Senator represents about 215,000 voters.
Each Delegate represents about 90,000 voters.
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There are 40 Senate districts.
There are 100 House districts.
Bill Drafting/Introduction
Bill Drafting/Introduction
Bills must be introduced by a Senator or Delegate. Senators present their bills to the Clerk of the Senate. Delegates present their bills to the Speaker of the House.
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Other Key Points
The Clerk of the Senate is elected by the 40 Senators.
The Speaker of the House is elected by the 100 Delegates.
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The Clerk of the Senate assigns bills to committees.
The Speaker of the House assigns bills to committees.
Committee Process
Committee Process
Bills are then sent to a committee. The committee holds a meeting for the public and members of the legislature to talk about the bill.
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Other Key Points
The Senate has 11 committees.
Each Senator serves on about four committees.
The House has 14 committees.
Each Delegate serves on about five committees.
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Each committee listens to opinions from experts, other Senators, other Delegates and citizens.
This is the public hearing portion of the legislative process. It is where you might get involved!
Committee Vote
Committee Vote
The committee votes to pass the bill out of committee or to defeat the bill.
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Other Key Points
If the bill passes in a Senate committee, it goes to the floor of the Senate for all 40 Senators to hear the reading of the bill.
To send a bill to the floor of the Senate, Senators vote yes.
To stop a bill from going to the floor of the Senate, Senators vote nay no.
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If the bill passes in a House committee, it goes to the floor of the House for all 100 Delegates to hear the reading of the bill.
To send a bill to the floor of the House, Delegates vote yes.
To stop a bill from going to the floor of the House, Delegates vote no.
Floor Action
Floor Action
One, two, three!
The bill is read three times in the first body. If it passes there, it goes through a similar committee and floor process in the other body. This is a rule in the Constitution of Virginia.
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Other Key Points
First Reading in the Senate - this means all Senators will vote on the bill soon.
Second Reading in the Senate - this means Senators can make changes to the bill. They can only talk about the changes. Then, they vote yes to accept the changes or no to stop the changes.
Third Reading in the Senate - this means Senators take turns debating the whole bill. Then, they vote yes to pass the bill or no to stop the bill.
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First Reading in the House of Delegates - this means all Delegates will vote on the bill soon.
Second Reading in the House of Delegates - this means Delegates can make changes to the bill. They vote yes to accept the changes or no to stop the changes. Then, they debate the entire bill before voting again.
Third Reading in the House of Delegates - Delegates vote yes to pass the bill or no to stop the bill.
Governor's Action
Governor's Action
If the bill passes both the Senate and House of Delegates, it goes to the Governor.
Other Key Points
Other Key Points
The Governor has four choices:
Sign the bill into law.
Make changes to the bill and return it to the General Assembly.
Veto the bill and return it to the General Assembly.
Allow the bill to become law without his signature.
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The Senate and the House of Delegates return to Richmond for one day in April.
On that day, Senators and Delegates take turns discussing changes that the Governor wants to make to bills.
If Senators and Delegates like the Governor's ideas, they vote yes. If Senators and Delegates don't like the Governor's ideas, they vote no.
Key Steps to How a Bill Becomes a Law (Interactive Activity)
Key Steps to How a Bill Becomes a Law (Interactive Activity)
Click here for directions.
Directions: The key steps to how a bill becomes a law are out of order. For this interactive activity, select the correct number that corresponds with the correct step.
Additional Resources Needed: None.
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