The following are
frequently asked questions about the Virginia Assembly's Legislative
Session. Normally, the General Assembly meets in the State Capitol Building.
While the Capitol Building is undergoing an extensive restoration and
extension, members of the General Assembly will meet in the newly renovated
Old State Library, (just North of the Capitol). This building will serve as
the temporary Capitol Building during the 2006 Legislative Session. Meetings
and caucuses that are normally held in the Capitol Building will also be
held in the Old State Library Building as well as the General Assembly
Building. If you should have any other questions about the legislative
process that aren't answered below, please call the House Information and
Public Relations Office, toll free, at 1-877-391-FACT. For quick and easy
access to the topic of your choice, please select from the list below:
When does the Virginia General Assembly
meet?
According to Article IV, Section 6 of the
Constitution of Virginia, "The General Assembly shall meet once each
year on the second Wednesday in January."
Also, "The Governor may convene a special
session of the General Assembly when, in his opinion, the interest of the
Commonwealth may require and shall convene a special session upon the
application of two-thirds of the members elected to each house."
Where does the Virginia General Assembly
meet?
While the Capitol Building is undergoing a restoration, the House of
Delegates will meet in the East wing of the newly renovated Old State
Library, (just North of the Capitol), and the Senate will meet in the West
wing of the new building. The House of Delegates normally meets in the East
wing of the Capitol and the Senate meets in the West wing of the Capitol.
How long does a session last?
According to Article IV, Section 6, a regular session of the General
Assembly convened in an even year shall continue no longer than sixty days
and a regular session convened in an odd year shall continue no longer than
thirty days. Odd-year sessions are usually extended for sixteen days. In
either case, the session may be extended for no longer than thirty days.
What time do the House of Delegates and
the Senate convene each day?
The House of Delegates and the Senate usually convene at 12 noon each day.
Depending upon the amount of business to be considered, both may convene
earlier.
What time do the House of Delegates and
Senate adjourn?
There is no set time for adjournment for either chamber. Adjournment is
determined by the amount of business before each chamber. Adjournment can be
found by looking at the
Meeting
Schedule found on the homepage.
How do I find the schedule for the
session?
At the beginning of each session, the General Assembly adopts a joint
resolution to establish a
schedule
for the session. The schedule establishes various procedural items,
including but not limited to dates for joint assemblies (when the Senate and
House of Delegates meet together), deadlines for introduction of
legislation, and deadlines for consideration of legislation by each chamber
and its committees.
