The bicameral Virginia General Assembly (The House of Delegates and the Senate) is a part-time legislature that meets annually on the second Wednesday in January.

• On years ending with an odd number, the General Assembly convenes for 30 days.
• On years ending with an even number, the General Assembly convenes for 60 days.
• Members may “pre-file” legislation prior to the session.

The Senate of Virginia:

• Has 40 members, each serving a four year term. All senate seats are up for election every four years.
• The Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor.
• The President pro tempore presides when the Lieutenant Governor is absent.
• Coequal with the House of Delegates - except that taxation bills can ONLY originate in the House.
• Last election for the Senate was in 2019; next election is in 2023.

The Virginia House of Delegates, the lower chamber:

• Has 100 members who each serve a two-year term.
• Is presided over by a Delegate member who is designated to be the Speaker of the House, typically a member of the majority party in the House.
• Unlike most states, Delegates are elected in odd-numbered years. Next election is in 2023.

Delegates and Senators can write, amend, and pass legislation in committees and as a body.

• Must make at least one address to the General Assembly per session on the State of the Commonwealth.
• Can veto legislation.
• Must sign legislation into law.
• Can convene a special session of the General Assembly.
• Elected for four-year term.
• There is no life-term term limit; but, can not serve consecutive terms.

• Virginia has a two-year (biennial) budget cycle.
• Each year the Governor proposes a budget bill that is introduced to the General Assembly.
• The bill is adopted in even-numbered years and amended in odd-numbered years.
• Annually, before the General Assembly adjourns, a conference committee resolves any differences between the versions of the budget passed by the two houses.

Virginia is one of only five U.S. states holding statewide elections in years that do not coincide with a presidential or congressional mid-term election.

In other words, Virginia elects its governor and General Assembly members in odd-numbered years.

Governor, Lt. Gov, Att. Gen of VA

@4 years; next election 2025, 2029, 2033, ...

Senate of Virginia (all members)

@4 years; next election 2027, 2031, 2035, ...

House of Delegates (all members)

@2 years; next election 2025, 2027, 2029, ...

Schedule General Elections | VA. Dept of Elections

Current Budget

Budget Process on General Assembly website

Budget Process Forum (Oct 2022, video) Budget Forum with Virginia Senator Janet Howell and Virginia House Delegate Vivian Watts Oct 14, 2022

Virginia Constitution

The Code All the laws currently in effect in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Virginia Decoded Explains the Code of Virginia with definitions, cross-references, bulk downloads, a modern interface and website design. Free.

• Virginia General Assembly
• Who's my legislator
• How a bill becomes a law
• Legislative Information System (LIS) A free web service that provides information on the work of committees and the General Assembly during each legislative session. You can see the status of specific bills or resolutions, lists of legislation by various categories, and profiles of members of the General Assembly.
• Lobbyist-in-a-box (LIAB) A service from LIS to track bills during the Virginia legislative session. You may track up to 5 bills in one Lobbyist-in-a-box "profile" without charge.
• Richmond Sunlight Tracking the Virginia General Assembly since 2007. A non-partisan, volunteer-run website that aggregates information about the General Assembly
• VPAP'S General Assembly - Issues/Bills 

House Floor

House Committees

Speak Remotely / Testify before House of Delegates Meetings

How to Access House Committee Video Using Committee Agendas

Senate Floor and Committee