About

The Virginia General Assembly dates from the establishment of the House of Burgesses at Jamestown in 1619. It is heralded by Virginians as the “oldest continuous law-making body in the New World.” It was then and is now a legislative body comprised of “citizen legislators,” elected representatives that serve in a part-time capacity meeting full-time responsibilities. 

First meeting of the House of Burgesses, Jamesown 1619

In order to be an informed and engaged citizen, it is essential to learn about the organizational structure of the General Assembly, when the legislature meets in session and how special sessions may be called, what are legislators’ terms of office, the responsibilities and demands of members of the Senate of Virginia and the Virginia House of Delegates, and how an idea is introduced as a bill and ultimately enacted into law.

The 1776 Virginia Constitution confirmed our bicameral legislature, which consists of the Senate of Virginia and the Virginia House of Delegates. The present state Constitution adopted by the citizens of Virginia, in 1970, provides that the Senate shall consist of 33 to 40 members and the House of Delegates shall consist of 90 to 100 members. All members of the General Assembly are elected by qualified voters within their respective Senate and House districts. The terms of office are four years for Senators and two years for Delegates. Members of the General Assembly may not hold any other elected public office during their term of office.

Pursuant to the Constitution, the General Assembly convenes in annual Regular Session on the second Wednesday of January. In an even-numbered year, the legislature meets for 60 calendar days and in an odd-numbered year meets for 30 calendar days but is customarily extended to 46 calendar days. Occasionally, the legislature has to extend beyond their projected ending date. In either an even-numbered or odd-numbered year, the legislature may not extend beyond an additional 30 calendar days. The legislature may be called into Special Session by the Governor at any time and may call itself into Special Session if two-thirds of the members elected to each house petition for a Special Session to be convened.

Since 1980, the legislature has constitutionally been required to convene a Reconvened Session on the sixth Wednesday after adjournment of any Session (Regular or Special). The purpose of the Reconvened Session is to consider any Governor’s amendments or vetoes to legislation communicated to him for action. The Reconvened Session typically lasts one day; however, the Session may last as long as three days and can be extended an additional seven days. The General Assembly is charged with responsibilities that include representing the citizens of their respective legislative districts in the formulation of public policy in the legislative process. The legislative process of How a Bill Becomes a Law involves the introduction of a bill, committee meetings, voting, deliberations between the Senate and House and other interested parties, and the approval by the Governor.

In addition, the members of the Senate and House of Delegates are charged with electing the judges that serve the Commonwealth in the various levels of the judiciary. The Senate and House Courts of Justice Committees interviews judicial candidates and makes recommendations to the floor for the entire membership of each house to vote.

Finally, all legislators serve the people of their district throughout the year assisting their constituents with various public services at the local, state, and federal levels of government.