163rd Virginia General Assembly explained

163rd Virginia General Assembly
Before:162nd
After:164th
Term Start:January 10, 2024
Chamber1:Senate of Virginia
Membership1:40
Chamber1 Leader1 Type:President of the Senate
Chamber1 Leader1:Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears (R)
Chamber1 Leader2 Type:Senate Majority Leader
Chamber1 Leader2:Scott Surovell (D)
Chamber1 Leader3 Type:Senate Minority Leader
Chamber1 Leader3:Ryan McDougle (R)
Control1:Democratic
Chamber2:Virginia House of Delegates
Membership2:100
Chamber2 Leader1 Type:Speaker of the House
Chamber2 Leader1:Don Scott (D)
Chamber2 Leader2 Type:House Majority Leader
Chamber2 Leader2:Charniele Herring (D)
Chamber2 Leader3 Type:House Minority Leader
Chamber2 Leader3:Todd Gilbert (R)
Control2:Democratic

The 163rd Virginia General Assembly, consisting of members who were elected in both the House and Senate elections in 2023, convened on January 10, 2024. Both elections were the first to be held under maps for both houses of the Virginia General Assembly which were approved by the Virginia Redistricting Commission and the Supreme Court of Virginia in 2021, which were the first in Virginia history to not be drawn and approved by the legislature. Both elections resulted in Democrats winning majorities in both houses for the first time since 2021, with one-seat majorities in both chambers; it was the first time that Democrats won both houses of the legislature against an incumbent Republican governor since 1995.

Membership

See main article: 2023 Virginia Senate election and 2023 Virginia House of Delegates election.

Leadership

Delegate Don Scott, who was the minority leader of the House of Delegates in the previous General Assembly and won re-election, was nominated for speaker on November 11, 2023 by the incoming Democratic caucus. If voted into office, he would become the first House speaker of African descent in Virginia history,[1] and the third person of African descent to preside over either house, after lieutenant governors Justin Fairfax and Winsome Sears in their roles as presidents of the State Senate. Charniele Herring was elected Majority Leader and Kathy Tran as Caucus Chair. Republicans elected former speaker Todd Gilbert as Minority Leader (defeating a challenge from Terry Kilgore), Amanda Batten as Caucus Chair, and Michael Webert as Whip.[2]

In the Senate, due to the retirements of Democratic leader Dick Saslaw and Republican leader Tommy Norment, elections were held for leadership of both Senate caucuses.

On November 15, 2023, the Democrats elected Scott Surovell to Senate Majority Leader, with Mamie Locke being re-elected Caucus Chair. Republicans elected Ryan McDougle to serve as Minority Leader, Mark Obenshain to serve as Caucus Chair, and Bill Stanley and Bryce Reeves as Whips.

!Chamber!Committee!Chair
SenateAgriculture, Conservation, and Natural ResourcesDave Marsden
Commerce and LaborCreigh Deeds
Education and HealthGhazala Hashmi
Finance and AppropriationsLouise Lucas
General Laws and TechnologyAdam Ebbin
JudiciaryScott Surovell
Local GovernmentJeremy McPike
Privileges and ElectionsAaron Rouse
Rehabilitation and Social ServicesBarbara Favola
Rules Mamie Locke
TransportationJennifer Boysko
HouseAgriculture, Conservation, and Natural ResourcesAlfonso Lopez
AppropriationsLuke Torian
Communications, Technology, and InnovationCliff Hayes, Jr.
Counties, Cities, and TownsCandi King
Courts of JusticePatrick Hope
EducationSam Rasoul
FinanceVivian Watts
General LawsDavid Bulova
Health and Human ServicesMark Sickles
Labor and CommerceJeion Ward
Privileges and ElectionsMarcia Price
Public SafetyMarcus Simon
RulesDon Scott
TransportationKarrie Delaney

Legislation

Intended legislation of the Democratic majorities include:

Constitutional amendments, under Virginia law, must be initiated by majorities in both houses in two consecutive legislatures before being sent to voters for approval.

Special elections

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Times-Dispatch . CHARLOTTE RENE WOODS Richmond . 2023-11-09 . Scott poised to become first Black Speaker of the House of Delegates . 2023-11-10 . Richmond Times-Dispatch . en.
  2. Web site: Times-Dispatch . CHARLOTTE RENE WOODS Richmond . 2023-11-14 . Parties shuffle leadership roles amid partisan flip of Virginia House chamber . 2023-11-14 . Richmond Times-Dispatch . en.