City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: FEBRUARY 22, 2021
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
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Update on the 2021 Virginia General Assembly Session.
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ISSUE: Update on the 2021 General Assembly Session
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council receive staff's update on the 2021 General Assembly session.
DISCUSSION: The 2021 General Assembly Session began on Wednesday, January 13. On February 4, the Governor issued a proclamation extending the current legislative session to the traditional 46-day limit through the implementation of a Special Session, which will last until sine die on February 27.
Legislation which passes out of the General Assembly is, most often, effective on July 1 of that session year. Some bills may have a different effective date than July 1 and if they do, the date is written in an enactment clause at the end of the legislation. In addition, legislation with an Emergency Clause is effective immediately upon the signature of the Governor and those bills require a four-fifths vote of the General Assembly to pass.
The General Assembly continues to meet virtually. The members of the Senate, along with some Senate staff, are convening in person at the Science Museum of Virginia, and are holding committee meetings and floor session from that location. Members of the House of Delegates are convening entirely virtually, with House members participating in subcommittee meetings, committee meetings, and floor session remotely from their location of choice. In both the Senate and the House, outside participants - including lobbyists, activists, and members of the public - are joining in subcommittee meetings, committee meetings and most other meetings with members and staff electronically, either through Zoom testimony or by presenting written comments ahead of the meeting.
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