Virginia General Assembly

Virginia General Assembly
Name	Virginia General Assembly
House type	Bicameral
Houses	Virginia Senate, Virginia House of Delegates
Leader1 type	President of the Senate
Leader1	Winsome Sears
Party1	(R)
Election1	2022
Leader2 type	Speaker of the House
Leader2	Don Scott
Party2	(D)
Election2	2024
Members	140
House1	Senate
House2	House of Delegates
Meeting place	Virginia State Capitol, Richmond
Website	virginiageneralassembly.gov

Virginia General Assembly. The Virginia General Assembly is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Established in 1619 as the House of Burgesses, it is the oldest continuous law-making body in the Western Hemisphere. The modern bicameral legislature, comprising the Virginia Senate and the Virginia House of Delegates, convenes annually in the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond.

History

The assembly traces its origins to the first meeting of the House of Burgesses at Jamestown in 1619, convened under the auspices of the Virginia Company of London. Key early figures included Governor George Yeardley and burgess John Pory. It functioned under colonial rule until the American Revolution, with notable members like Patrick Henry and George Washington. The Virginia Convention of 1776 adopted the Virginia Declaration of Rights, drafted by George Mason, and the first state constitution. During the American Civil War, the assembly relocated briefly to Alexandria under the Restored Government of Virginia. The Readjuster Party briefly controlled the legislature in the 1880s, and the era of Harry F. Byrd Sr. dominated Virginia politics for much of the 20th century. The Civil Rights Movement and decisions like Brown v. Board of Education led to significant changes, including the election of L. Douglas Wilder, who later became the first African American Governor of Virginia.

Structure and composition

The General Assembly is a bicameral legislature consisting of a 40-member Virginia Senate and a 100-member Virginia House of Delegates. Senators serve four-year terms, while delegates serve two-year terms. Elections are held in November of odd-numbered years. The legislature is apportioned into districts following each United States Census, a process often subject to litigation, such as cases heard by the Supreme Court of the United States. The Republican Party and the Democratic Party are the two primary political bodies. Leadership includes the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, who serves as President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, elected from the membership.

Powers and duties

The assembly holds the primary lawmaking authority for the commonwealth as defined by the Constitution of Virginia. Its powers include enacting laws, approving the state budget proposed by the Governor of Virginia, and levying taxes. It has the sole power to confirm appointments made by the governor to key positions, including judges for the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Virginia Court of Appeals. The body also holds the authority to propose constitutional amendments, which must be ratified by Virginia voters, and to elect members to the Virginia State Corporation Commission. It can override a gubernatorial veto with a two-thirds vote in each chamber.

Legislative process

A bill may be introduced in either chamber by a member of the Virginia Senate or the Virginia House of Delegates. Following introduction and first reading, it is referred to a standing committee, such as the Senate Finance Committee or the House Courts of Justice Committee. The committee may hold hearings, propose amendments, and vote to report the bill. It then proceeds to multiple readings and floor votes in its chamber of origin. If passed, it moves to the other chamber for a similar process. Differences between chamber versions are resolved by a conference committee. Finally, a bill passed by both houses is sent to the Governor of Virginia, who may sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature.

Current session and leadership

The current session is the 2024 Regular Session. The President of the Senate is Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears, a Republican. The President pro tempore of the Senate is Louise Lucas. The Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates is Don Scott, a Democratic delegate from Portsmouth. The Majority Leader of the Senate is Scott Surovell, while the Minority Leader is Ryan McDougle. In the House, the Majority Leader is Charniele Herring and the Minority Leader is Todd Gilbert.

Notable legislation

Throughout its history, the assembly has enacted landmark laws. Early significant acts included the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, drafted by Thomas Jefferson. In the 20th century, it passed the Massive Resistance laws in response to Brown v. Board of Education. More recent notable legislation includes the 2020 ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, the 2021 legalization of cannabis in Virginia, and the 2024 passage of a budget that included major investments in K-12 education. It has also enacted significant reforms to Virginia's alcohol laws, criminal justice policies, and environmental regulations concerning the Chesapeake Bay.

Category:Virginia General Assembly Category:State legislatures of the United States Category:Government of Virginia