About the General Assembly

The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, consisting of two chambers: the House of Delegates and the Senate.

The assembly meets annually in Richmond, Virginia, beginning on the second Wednesday in January in accordance with state law.

During even-numbered years, the session runs for sixty calendar days, and in odd-numbered years, the session is held for a duration of thirty to forty-five calendar days at the discretion of the assembly.

Subsequent to the adjournment of the regular session, the assembly reconvenes on the sixth Wednesday to deliberate on the Governor’s recommendations and any vetoed legislation. Note that any bills that are enacted into law during a regular session become effective on the first day of July following the adjournment of the session unless otherwise specified in the legislation. The Governor may also call for the assembly to convene for a special session at any time as deemed necessary.

House Bills and Senate Bills

The legislative process in the Virginia General Assembly begins with the introduction of bills. Bills can be introduced by members of either chamber and are assigned to committees for review and consideration. The committees hold hearings on the bills and make recommendations for their passage or rejection.

Once a bill has been reviewed by a committee, it is placed on the chamber’s calendar for a vote. If a bill is passed by one chamber, it is then sent to the other chamber for review and consideration. If it is passed by the second chamber, it is sent to the governor for his signature. If the governor signs the bill, it becomes law. If the governor vetoes the bill, it can still become law if two-thirds of the members of both chambers vote to override the veto.

VGEA Bills

The Virginia Governmental Employees Association (VGEA) works with legislators to suggest and introduce bills by advocating for the interests of its members, which include state and local government employees in Virginia. The VGEA may research and draft legislation, and then present it to legislators for introduction and sponsorship. The association may also lobby legislators to support the bill and advocate for its passage.

When a legislator sponsors a bill, they are formally introducing it to the legislature and indicating their support for it. The sponsor is typically the primary advocate for the bill and may work to gather support from other legislators and stakeholders. They may also speak in favor of the bill during legislative debates and work to ensure its passage. Sponsoring a bill is an important role for legislators as it demonstrates their commitment to the issues and causes that are important to them.

During the session, the VGEA provides a list of VGEA bills and bills of interest for VGEA members at vgea.org/tracker.

VGEA Member Support

VGEA members contact bill sponsors and show support for bills during the General Assembly session because it helps to build momentum for bills and demonstrates to legislators that there is a strong base of support for the legislation. When legislators receive messages and calls from constituents in support of a bill, it can help to sway their vote in favor of the bill. It also helps to show legislators that there are real people and groups affected by the issues the bill addresses and that their support will have a meaningful impact.

Additionally, when association members contact bill sponsors and show support, it can also help to build relationships between the association and the legislators. This can be beneficial for the association in the long term as it can help to ensure that the legislators are more likely to consider the association’s views when making decisions on other issues in the future.

Session Milestones

One important milestone in the legislative process is crossover. Crossover is the point at which any bill that has not yet passed one chamber must do so to be considered by the other chamber. Any bill that has not passed one chamber by the crossover deadline is unlikely to become law.

Other important milestones include the budget bill, which must be passed by both chambers and signed by the governor before the end of the session.

Overall, the Virginia General Assembly is an important institution in the state government, responsible for creating and passing laws that govern the citizens of Virginia. The legislative process is a complex and nuanced one, with many different stages and milestones along the way. Understanding how the assembly works is essential for any state employee or retiree who wants to stay informed and engaged with the political process.

VGEA Legislative Day

The VGEA hosts an annual Legislative Day during the General Assembly session where VGEA members assemble at the General Assembly building in downtown Richmond to meet with legislators and advocate for legislation that the VGEA is supporting. In 2024, VGEA members will meet on February 19. Get details and RSVP at vgea.org/action2024.

As always, if you have any questions, thoughts, or concerns, reach out to us at info@vgea.org.