What is Virginia’s “veto session”?

Virginia’s legislative session typically wraps up each year in early March or mid February depending on the year. The Virginia General Assembly must pass a budget in even numbered years and therefore session is a slightly longer in order to do so. On the sixth Wednesday after regular session concludes, legislators return to Richmond for a veto session.

What is a “Veto Session”?

A veto session is when legislators reconvene to address any vetos or amendments from the Governor. Once a bill or the budget passes both chambers of the General Assembly, the Governor has the opportunity to sign the bill, amend the bill or veto it. Legislators meet to vote on whether they wish to accept or reject the amendments. Likewise they vote on whether they wish to override a veto.

In order to reject amendments, a majority in both chambers must vote to reject said amendment. Two thirds majority in both chambers is needed to override a veto.

If the General Assembly rejects an amendment, the bill is once again returned to the Governor who has the opportunity to sign the bill or to veto it.

Why it matters

It is important to understand the full legislative process in Virginia to win real results for the environment. Environment Virginia works to protect our air, water and special places and a lot of that work happens at the state level, in the state legislature.

Even though a bill may have passed the General Assembly (by passing both the House of Delegates and the Senate), it may not be across the finish line until after “veto session” if the governor amends or vetos the bill.

Learn more & get involved

Our annual Environment Virginia Priorities outlines our program and legislative priorities. To learn more about our work in the General Assembly making a difference in state policy, check out our How to navigate the Virginia General Assembly guide.