Your Path to the Virginia General Assembly
Understanding Legislative Sessions and How a Bill Becomes a Law
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Your Path to Understanding Legislative Sessions
Your Path to Understanding Legislative Sessions
LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS: REGULAR, RECONVENED, AND SPECIAL
LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS: REGULAR, RECONVENED, AND SPECIAL
The Virginia General Assembly convenes at the State Capitol in Richmond on the second Wednesday of January each year. In even-numbered years, the session usually lasts 60 calendar days and in odd-numbered years the legislature meets for 46 calendar days.
In addition to the regular session, the House of Delegates and Senators return to Richmond one more time for a reconvened session. However, they may also convene in special session. Click on "Reconvened Session" and "Special Session" below to learn the differences.
Reconvened Session
Reconvened Session
A reconvened session is held on the sixth Wednesday after adjournment of each regular and special session for the purpose of considering legislation amended and vetoed by the Governor.
Special Session
Special Session
The Governor may convene a special session when it is deemed necessary or advisable and must do so when petitioned by two-thirds of the legislators of both chambers. Laws passed during a special session become effective on the first day of the fourth month following adjournment, unless otherwise specified.
Your Path to How a Bill Becomes a Law
Your Path to How a Bill Becomes a Law
INTERIM
INTERIM
Throughout the year, Senators and Delegates are busy attending meetings and public hearings in Richmond and around the Commonwealth. These meetings are often called to study a particular issue. Senators and Delegates also meet with constituents and civic groups, and visit schools. During this time, they may receive ideas for new legislation.
BILL DRAFTING AND INTRODUCTION
BILL DRAFTING AND INTRODUCTION
Only members of the General Assembly may introduce legislation. A Senator or Delegates wishing to introduce legislation would request the Division of Legislative Services to draft the bill. The Division of Legislative Services provides staff services to the General Assembly, including drafting and preparing legislation for either house. Once the bill is drafted, it is introduced.
COMMITTEE PROCESS
COMMITTEE PROCESS
All Senate bills are referred to one of the ten standing committees or to the Committee on Rules by the Clerk of the Senate. The Speaker of the House refers all House bills to one of the thirteen House standing committees of the Committee on Rules.
The Senate and House standing committees debate all introduced bills. The committee process allows each bill to receive careful consideration in each chamber.
House Committees
House Committees
Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources
Appropriations
Communications, Technology and Innovation
Counties, Cities and Towns
Courts of Justice
Education
Finance
General Laws
Health and Human Services
Labor and Commerce
Privileges and Elections
Public Safety
Rules
Transportation
Senate Committees
Senate Committees
Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
Commerce and Labor
Courts of Justice
Education and Health
Finance and Appropriations
General Laws and Technology
Local Government
Privileges and Elections
Rehabilitation and Social Services
Rules
Transportation
Standing Committee Procedure
Standing Committee Procedure
Chair of the committee chooses the bill to be included on the docket, a meeting agenda made available to all patrons and interested parties.
The regularly scheduled committee meeting is held.
Chief patron explains the purpose of the bill.
Experts may testify.
Senators and Delegates pose questions.
Public input (including testimony, letters, phone calls, e-mails, etc.).
Committee action: Vote to report (bill goes to the House or Senate) OR recommend the bill to be referred to another committee OR defeat the bill/fail to act.
In an even-numbered year, a committee can continue the legislation to the next year.
FLOOR ACTIONS in the SENATE
FLOOR ACTIONS in the SENATE
When a Senate committee votes to report a bill, the legislation is sent to the Senate Chamber for consideration by all 40 Senators. The bill title is read by the Clerk of the Senate three times. The three readings are mandated by the Constitution of Virginia.
When a Senate committee votes to report a bill, the legislation is sent to the Senate Chamber for consideration by all 40 Senators. The bill title is read by the Clerk of the Senate three times. The three readings are mandated by the Constitution of Virginia.
Bills passed by the Senate are communicated to the House for consideration.
Bills passed by the Senate are communicated to the House for consideration.
First Reading
This reading indicates the bill was reported out of committee and is before the Senate.
Second Reading
This reading is when the bill can be changed, also known as amended. Those changes are considered on the floor and a vote is taken.
Third Reading
On this reading, the bill can be debated amongst the Senators. A vote is taken to pass the bill or defeat the bill.
FLOOR ACTIONS in the HOUSE
FLOOR ACTIONS in the HOUSE
When a House committee votes to report a bill, the legislation is sent to the House Chamber for consideration by all 100 Senators. The bill title is read by the Clerk of the House three times. The three readings are mandated by the Constitution of Virginia.
When a House committee votes to report a bill, the legislation is sent to the House Chamber for consideration by all 100 Senators. The bill title is read by the Clerk of the House three times. The three readings are mandated by the Constitution of Virginia.
Bills passed by the House of Delegates are communicated to the Senate for consideration.
Bills passed by the House of Delegates are communicated to the Senate for consideration.
First Reading
This reading indicates the bill was reported out of committee and is before the House of Delegates.
Second Reading
This reading is when the bill can be changed, also known as amended. Those changes are considered on the floor and a vote is taken.
Unlike in the Senate, bills are debated by Delegates on second reading before moving the bill to third reading.
Third Reading
A vote is taken to pass or defeat the bill.
COMMITTEES OF CONFERENCE
COMMITTEES OF CONFERENCE
If each house insists on its own form of a bill, a committee of conference is usually created. A compromise report from the committee is sent to each house for approval.
If each house insists on its own form of a bill, a committee of conference is usually created. A compromise report from the committee is sent to each house for approval.
GOVERNOR'S ACTION
GOVERNOR'S ACTION
Bills that pass in the House of Delegates and the Senate are sent to the Governor for consideration. The Governor has four options from which to choose:
Sign a bill into law (if no action is taken within seven days, the bill becomes law).
Amend and return bills (both chambers must approve those changes).
Veto and return the bill to the appropriate chamber (a veto may be overridden by 2/3 vote in both chambers).
Take no action and allow a bill to become law.
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