Visiting the General Assembly Building
Address
- 201 North 9th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Hours During Interim
- 8:30am – 5:00pm
Hours During Legislative Session
- 6:30am – 7:00pm, or upon adjournment of the last legislative meeting
The General Assembly Building houses the individual offices for the 140 members of the General Assembly, as well as committee rooms and offices for legislative staff.
Individuals and groups visiting the General Assembly Building may enter the building through the Darden Garden entrance, which faces Capitol Square. Throughout the year, this is the main entrance for the general public, credentialed state employees, and lobbyists. In addition, the Broad Street entrance will be accessible to the public whenever the General Assembly is in session.
A tunnel that connects the Capitol and General Assembly Buildings is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The entrances to the tunnel for walking between buildings are located on the 2nd level of the Capitol Visitor’s Center and the lower level of the General Assembly Building.
To ensure the safety of employees and visitors, all non-credentialed visitors are required to pass through a magnetometer and have their carry-on items screened by an X-ray machine before entry to the building. Please note that all packages and bags are subject to physical search.
Regular Session
The General Assembly is composed of the Senate of Virginia and the Virginia House of Delegates. Pursuant to Article IV, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, the legislature convenes annually on the second Wednesday in January. In odd-numbered years, the General Assembly meets for 60 calendar days. In even-numbered years, the legislature meets for 30 calendar days with an option to extend no more than 30 additional days. Typically, even-numbered year sessions convene for 46 calendar days. Floor sessions convene in the Capitol building while most committee meetings are held in the General Assembly Building.
Special Session
The Governor may call a special session when deemed necessary or advisable, and must do so upon petition by two-thirds of the members of both houses.
Reconvened Session
A reconvened session is held on the sixth Wednesday after adjournment of each regular or special session for the purpose of considering the governor’s recommendations and vetoed legislation. If that week falls on a religious holiday, it will reconvene the following Wednesday. Reconvened sessions usually last one day, and not longer than three days.