Virginia General Assembly 2021 Archives

New Legislation on Elections from 2021

May 11, 2021 by Creigh Deeds

In four weeks, Virginians will return to the polls for primary contests, including the statewide races for the Democratic ticket for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. On June 8, you have a chance to make your voice heard, and I hope you get out and vote.

With the election on the horizon, I am reminded of all that we accomplished during the 2021 Session. I have the honor of chairing the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections. The General Assembly passed a number of bills to make our elections system more fair, secure, and accessible, and I wanted to highlight a few that will take effect this year. [Read more…]

2021 Veto Session

April 9, 2021 by Creigh Deeds

The 2021 Reconvened Session, commonly known as the veto session, occurred on April 7, 2021. Typically a one day affair, the session has been known to go long into the evening or the early hours of the following day. With the reduced bill limits this year, the legislature only sent about 550 bills to the Governor for consideration. In turn, he did not veto any bills and only amended 37, including the budget. [Read more…]

Sine Die

March 5, 2021 by Creigh Deeds

In this most unusual year, the General Assembly adjourned sine die in the most unusual way. We adopted a procedural resolution to extend the 30-day session to the usual 46 days by having a special session the last couple of weeks. We finished our work late on Saturday, February 27, but we did not adjourn sine die until March 1. [Read more…]

Week 7: Final Countdown

February 26, 2021 by Creigh Deeds

The 2021 Session of the General Assembly is rapidly winding down. We are in the throes of the last week, and we have reached a budget agreement. Many bills remain up in the air.

For the second time in my legislative career, I was involved in the final budget negotiations. [Read more…]

Week 6: In the Homestretch

February 19, 2021 by Creigh Deeds

The 2021 Session of the General Assembly is winding down. We only have a week left in the regular session, which is anything but regular this year. We are in a pandemic, and we had to go through extraordinary means simply to meet for the normal 46 days. [Read more…]