OVERVIEW

Virginia's legislature, known as the General Assembly is composed of two bodies, the State Senate that has 40 members, each elected for four-year terms, and the House of Delegates that has 100 members, each elected for two-year terms. Both are equal bodies in writing Virginia's laws and serve with the governor in preparing and executing the budget of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The General Assembly conducts its business in the capitol building in Richmond.

When your delegate is in Richmond during the General Assembly session, he or she is your voice on issues that affect both your community and the state as a whole. The delegate participates with other members of the House of Delegates and the Senate on committees that support the legislative process. Your delegate serves in Richmond during the legislative session, which is 60 days long in even years, and 45 days long in odd years. Each April there is a veto session during which the General Assembly reconsiders any bills that the governor may have vetoed after the regular session.

For the rest of the year, your delegate works in your home district on problems that may impact constituents, as well as meet with committees that are working on long term legislative projects.

Learn more about The House of Delegates, and your Local and Federal Government. This page outlines the basic duties involves and gives a list of helpful links and resources.
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Here are some web sites that will help you understand how bills becomes law, how you can track a bill through the legislative process, and how you can read what is current Virginia law. There is also a link about the Legislature support agencies.

About the House of Delegates

How a bill becomes a law

How to track a bill

Code of Virginia

Administrative Code of Virginia

Your Legislative Branch