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 Patrick
Henry Building, formerly the Old State Library, just North of
the Capitol. This building will serve as the temporary Capitol
Building during the 2006 and 2007 Legislative Sessions. Meetings
and caucuses that are normally held in the Capitol Building will
also be held in the Patrick Henry 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 Patrick Henry Building, formerly the Old State Library,
just North of the Capitol. 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.
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