Civics Education
Virginia State Government


I. The Legislative Branch - The Virginia General Assembly

The Virginia General Assembly traces its roots to the establishment of the House of Burgesses, with its first session taking place at Jamestown. Once Virginia created the constitution of 1776, the General Assembly was established. This bicameral legislature (two chambers or houses) consisted of a Senate and House of Delegates. The Senate had 24 members, with one fourth of the members elected each year. The second chamber, known as the House of Delegates, was where all legislation originated. It consisted of two members from every county and a representative from each incorporated city. The members of the original House of Delegates were elected annually.

Throughout our history, the General Assembly has gone through several changes. These changes have consisted of increasing the number of members in both houses to revising how and when the members are elected. The Constitution of Virginia currently sets the membership of the House of Delegates to range between 90-100, with 100 members currently serving. These members serve a two-year term, and elections are held in odd-numbered years.

The Constitution of Virginia sets the membership for the Senate to range between 33-40 members. Currently there are 40 members within the Senate of Virginia. Virginia Senators serve a four-year term. To briefly examine major changes to the General Assembly throughout its history click here. (For an in-depth look at the Virginia General Assembly’s history, modern practices, and today’s lawmaking processes, read Finch, Maddrea, and Garrett, 2012).

State Capitol
State Capitol
Courtesy of Robert Burgholzer

Did You Know? The Virginia General Assembly is the longest continuously serving legislative body in the Americas. The Virginia General Assembly is a bicameral institution, just like the U.S. Congress. All states, except for Nebraska, have a bicameral legislative body. Nebraska has a unicameral, non-partisan legislative body.


The Virginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly has the power to levy taxes and to make laws for the Commonwealth. Another important task of the Virginia General Assembly is to confirm appointments made by the governor. The Virginia General Assembly also has the responsibility of approving the Commonwealth’s budget. One significant difference that Virginia’s state legislative body has from the national legislature is the responsibility for electing State Supreme Court Justices and judges for the Court of Appeals, Circuit Courts, and District Courts.

The Virginia General Assembly is not always in session but convenes every year on the second Wednesday in January. There are two lengths of time that the Virginia General Assembly meets. In even-numbered years, the Virginia General Assembly session lasts for 60 days. In odd-numbered years, the session is only 30 days, but does include an option for a 30-day maximum extension.

The Virginia General Assembly has been described as a hybrid legislature (part-time citizen legislature). Legislators in the Commonwealth do not meet year-round but do maintain a staff. Most of the Commonwealth’s legislators have other jobs. The following tables provide a comparative look at the legislative branches of Virginia and the United States. The first table contrasts the Senate of Virginia to the United States Senate. The second table contrasts the Virginia House of Delegates to the United States House of Representatives.

How does the Senate of Virginia compare to the United States Senate?

Item Virginia United States
Members Constitution of 1971 states there must be between 33-40. Currently there are 40 members, each representing approximately 200,000 citizens. Two senators for each state, currently at 100. This number is set by the U.S. Constitution. Each represents the entire state.
Qualifications At least 21 years of age.

Resident of district they represent.

Qualified to vote in Virginia. 		At least 30 years of age.

A citizen of the U.S. for at least nine years.

A resident of the state at the time of the election.
Terms of Office Four years. Six years.
2012 Salary $18,000 $174,000
Leadership Presided over by Lieutenant Governor. If not present, presided over by president pro tempore. Presided over by Vice President. If not present, presided over by president pro tempore or designee.
Standing Committees In 2012 -11. In 2012 - 15.


How does the Virginia House of Delegates compare to the United States House of Representatives?

Item Virginia United States
Members The Constitution of Virginia of 1971 allows for 90-100 members.

Currently there are 100 members, each representing approximately 80,000 citizens. 		Currently 435 members.

This number is fixed by statute, not the U.S. Constitution.

Each member of the House represents approximately 700,000 citizens.
Qualifications 21 years of age.

Resident of district represented.

Qualified to vote in Virginia.

 25 years of age, citizen of the U.S. for the past seven years.

Reside in state you represent but not necessarily the district represented.
Terms of Office Two-year term. Two-year term, elected in even-numbered years.
2012 Salary $17,640 $174,000
Leadership Positions Speaker of the House is chosen by the House and elected in even-numbered years for two-year terms. Duties of the Speaker include assigning both the membership and legislation to the 14 standing committees in the House. The Speaker votes on all bills that come to the House floor.

The Clerk is elected by the House in even-numbered years and shall continue in office until another is chosen. The Clerk is responsible for the clerical business of the House and its committees. 		Clerk of the House is responsible for the administration of the House and is under the direction of the Speaker of the House. Speaker of the House is elected by the members of the House. The Speaker of the House is invariably a member of the majority party; however, it is not required.


Did You Know? To be a representative for Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives, an individual does not need to live in the district represented. However, in order to run for office in the Virginia General Assembly, an individual must reside in the district represented.


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