How Virginia’s General Assembly turns a bill into law

Each year, hundreds of bills are introduced to Virginia’s General Assembly. Some of these bills eventually become law; however, many don’t make it past committee or even receive a vote. To understand how a bill moves through the legislative process helps Virginians understand how the state government works and how citizens can influence the laws that affect their lives.

The process of legislation begins when a member of the Virginia House of Delegates or the Virginia Senate introduces a bill during the General Assembly’s annual session. These bills cover a wide range of issues, and once introduced, they are given a certain number and assigned to a committee that specializes in that bill’s subject matter.

Committees play one of the most important roles in the legislation process. They review the proposed legislation, hear testimony from experts and members of the public, debate the bill’s pros, and decide if it should move forward. Many bills don’t make it past this stage, making it one of the biggest hurdles in the lawmaking process.

If a committee then approves a bill, it will move to the full chamber, either the House of Delegates or the Senate, for a debate and vote. Legislators can propose amendments before voting. If the bill passes, it will be sent to the other chamber, where the process of committee review, debate, and possible amendments begins, as well as another vote.

When both chambers approve the same version of the bill, it is sent to the governor. The governor has multiple options: sign it into law, allow it to become law without a signature, recommend amendments, or veto the bill. If an amendment is proposed, the General Assembly decides whether or not to accept it. If the governor vetoes the bill, the General Assembly can override the veto with a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate.

Once a bill is signed into law, or enacted through another constitutional process, the new law takes effect on July 1, unless the legislation requires a different specific date.

Although the process seems complex, each step is designed so that it goes through careful review before becoming real legislation. Virginia’s legislative process shows checks, discussion, and accountability. By knowing and understanding how a bill becomes law, Virginians are better able to follow legislation and participate in state government.