Water in the 2021 Virginia General Assembly

Abstract

In the tables below, the Virginia Water Resources Research Center lists 95 measures in the 2021 Assembly dealing with water resources directly or indirectly, including two bills amending the current state budget that runs through June 30, 2022.The 2021 General Assembly convened on January 13 and was initially scheduled for 30 days, a so-called “short session,” which is held in all odd-numbered years. (Often, short sessions are extended by the Assembly to 46 days; any session may be extended for up to 30 days; “long sessions” of 60 days are held in even-numbered years.) On February 4, 2021, Gov. Ralph Northam called for a special session of the Assembly to begin on February 10 and extend the overall session to 46 days (earlier in 2021, the Assembly failed to approve a session extension). The reconvened (“veto”) session was held on April 7 (the sixth Wednesday after adjournment of the session). During long sessions, the Commonwealth’s budget for the upcoming two years is set; amendments to the current biennial budget may be considered both in short and long sessions. More information about the Assembly’s normal schedule and duration is available in “About the General Assembly,” online at this link.