Marilyn’s Month-to-Month Guide for Navigating the General Assembly Fall Forum 2016 Marilyn P. Harris

General Assembly Session Convenes 2nd Wednesday in January Wednesday, January 11, 2017 60 days even/ 30 days odd numbered years 30 day session extension to 46 days This year is a short session

Your Go-To Website: https://lis.virginia.gov/lis.htm

Solicit member input for legislative priorities May 2016 Solicit member input for legislative priorities Reach group consensus

June 2016 Determine subject matter experts Conduct necessary research

July 2016 Bills from last session become law Research patrons Think strategically about patrons Finalize legislative concept*

*Suggested Legislative Concept Format Summary Background Need Alternatives Proposed Amendment Fiscal Impact Constituent Analysis

August 2016 Seek potential patron(s) in both the House and Senate Why so early?

September 2016 Disseminate information Members visit or call their legislators Monitor prefiled bills cut-off date

VEMA voice concerns to legislators on prefiled bills October 2016 Follow up with patrons Respond to questions Monitor legislation VEMA voice concerns to legislators on prefiled bills

Continue to monitor bills for VEMA impact November 2016 Continue to monitor bills for VEMA impact

December 2016 Governor presents state budget House Joint Resolution schedule of business Check with your patrons Visit other committee members

January 2017 General Assembly convenes Adopts House Joint Resolution on Session Schedule All bills filed by Jan 20th Monitor bills for any affecting VEMA State Agencies complete Legislative Action Summaries*

*Legislative Action Summaries Required for every bill Agency comments on content and recommends an action Submitted to Secretary and then to the Governor’s Policy Office Agency then receives official position

Following Your Bill Patron files the bill Referred to committees (subcommittee, re-referred) Reported from committee & placed on calendar Read or printed 3 times before a member vote- when a bill passes the House it goes to the Senate Attend committee meetings as appropriate- meetings start at 7am and go into the evening At noon the House & Senate convene at the Capitol Watch & listen to the debate virtually- it is streamed live from the chambers

Cross-over around 2nd week of February Switch Bills- each House may consider only legislation of the other House

Sine Die- if it is a long session (General Assembly Adjourns) March 2017 Sine Die- if it is a long session (General Assembly Adjourns) Enrolled bill period (similar to LAS)

April 2017 General Assembly reconvenes to consider Governor’s recommendations & vetoed legislation Complete EBRs

Start getting ready for the next General Assembly! May 2017 Analyze what happened Start getting ready for the next General Assembly!

Together You Are Powerful Pick two or three priorities Substantiate those priorities Get everyone on the same page Reach out to legislature & other organizations Follow the legislative process

Contact Marilyn Harris Kate Archie Senior Policy Analyst Virginia Department of Emergency Management 804.897.9963 Marilyn. Harris@VDEM.Virginia.gov Kate Archie Logistics Specialist Virginia Department of Emergency Management 804.897.9958 Kate.Archie@VDEM.Virginia.gov