Access and Security

In accordance with local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations, interim rules regarding the General Assembly Building and a Virginia General Assembly Accessibility Policy have been established jointly by the Clerk of the House and the Clerk of the Senate at the direction of the General Assembly’s Committee on Joint Rules. 

Individuals and groups visiting the General Assembly Building may enter the building through the doors marked public entrance on the south side of the building. Visitors with special needs may use the wheelchair accessible entrance.

To ensure the safety of employees and visitors, all non credentialed visitors are required to pass through a security screening and have their personal items screened by an x-ray machine prior to entry to the building. Please note that all packages and bags are subject to physical search.

Building Occupancy

Capitol Police, in collaboration with the State Fire Marshal, enforce the occupancy loads for the General Assembly and Capitol Buildings and have a process for tracking these numbers in real-time. If capacity is reached, access will be temporarily halted until numbers decrease.

The maximum capacity for the General Assembly Building is 12,169.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Access to the General Assembly Building

The General Assembly Building (GAB) is fully accessible to visitors with special needs and has wheelchair accessible restrooms, ramps and elevators with barrier-free access from the main entrance to all floors of the building.

Individuals, groups, and visitors with special needs may enter the General Assembly Building through the Darden Garden entrance.  

Accessible drop off at the GAB is available on 10th Street between the GAB and Old City Hall. Drivers can enter 10th Street via Broad Street, pull up to the Capitol Police guard house and let the officer on duty know they are dropping off a person with mobility limitations. Drivers may unload passengers here, and then continue to their parking destination. Pick-up can happen in the same manner at the end of a visit.

Elevators

All elevators in the General Assembly Building are wheelchair accessible.

Hearing Impairments

Individuals desiring the use of an interpreter during committee meetings should contact Senate Committee Operations at (804) 698-7450 or Committeeoperation@senate.virginia.gov and House Committee Operations at (804) 698-1540 or CommitteeOps@house.virginia.gov for assistance. Individuals requiring the services of an interpreter should make this request known as far in advance as possible since legislative proceedings will not be delayed to provide this accommodation. Larger committee rooms are equipped with a personal listening system. Individuals may check out a receiver for use during meetings. The TDD number for the Senate is toll free 1(866) 267-1474 and the House is (804) 786-2369. Additional information is available in the Virginia General Assembly Policy: Accessibility for Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Media Credential

A media credential, which allow access to the GAB and Capitol, is available from House Support Services by completing an application, presenting valid identification issued by your organization, and having your photo taken for the badge. Please call (804) 698-1550 or emailpresspass@house.virginia.govto schedule an appointment. It may take up to a week for your application to be approved and for your badge to be issued. “Day passes” for specific events are valid for that event only and general passes are good for one year from the issue date.

LOBBYIST INFORMATION

Lobbyist IDs

Each lobbyist must register with the Secretary of the Commonwealth every year. Once registered a lobbyist may obtain an identification badge by visiting Senate Support Services. Senate Support Services will require the completion of an application and proof of registration with the Secretary of the Commonwealth by receipt. At that time, an appointment will be made to have your photo taken. The cost of the identification badge is $15.00 in the form of check or money order made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia.

Senate – Lobbyist Locker Rental

The Senate of Virginia has lockers available to Lobbyist to rent for storage of personal belongings while conducting business in the General Assembly Building The lockers are located on the 3rd floor and in the basement of the General Assembly Building. The rental fee is $100 annually. Please contact Senate Support Services, (804) 698-7460 for more information.

House – Lobbyist Locker Rental

The House of Delegates has lockers available to rent for storage of personal belongings while conducting business in the General Assembly Building. The lockers are located on the first floor and in the basement of the General Assembly Building. The rental fee is $100 annually. Please contact House Support Services at (804) 698-1550 for more information.