Senate Virtual Participation Policy- effective January 9, 2025
Virtual participation is welcome in the legislative process. To ensure that the process runs as smoothly as possible, virtual participants must sign up to speak one half hour before the committee meeting begins. Virtual participation is only possible on bills that will be heard in the full committee, subcommittees will not be taking virtual comments. Participants must be Virginians or recognized subject-matter experts. Registered lobbyists wishing to speak to a specific bill must do so in person. All virtual participants must state who they are, the jurisdiction they reside in and whether they are representing a group before they present their comments. A presenter on the virtual platform must have the camera on and be physically present in the virtual space. The Chair will announce at the beginning of the public comment period how much time will be allotted to each speaker. Given the fast pace and time constraints inherent in the committee process, individuals will have a greater chance of being able to present their comments if they can attend the hearing in person.