163rd Virginia General Assembly

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.

163rd Virginia General Assembly
162nd 164th
Overview
TermJanuary 10, 2024 –
Senate of Virginia
Members40
President of the SenateLt. Gov. Winsome Sears (R)
Senate Majority LeaderScott Surovell (D)
Senate Minority LeaderRyan McDougle (R)
Party controlDemocratic
Virginia House of Delegates
Members100
Speaker of the HouseDon Scott (D)
House Majority LeaderCharniele Herring (D)
House Minority LeaderTodd Gilbert (R)
Party controlDemocratic

Membership

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Leadership

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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
Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources Dave Marsden
Commerce and Labor Creigh Deeds
Education and Health Ghazala Hashmi
Finance and Appropriations Louise Lucas
General Laws and Technology Adam Ebbin
Judiciary Scott Surovell
Local Government Jeremy McPike
Privileges and Elections Aaron Rouse
Rehabilitation and Social Services Barbara Favola
Rules Mamie Locke
Transportation Jennifer Boysko
House Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources Alfonso Lopez
Appropriations Luke Torian
Communications, Technology, and Innovation Cliff Hayes, Jr.
Counties, Cities, and Towns Candi King
Courts of Justice Patrick Hope
Education Sam Rasoul
Finance Vivian Watts
General Laws David Bulova
Health and Human Services Mark Sickles
Labor and Commerce Jeion Ward
Privileges and Elections Marcia Price
Public Safety Marcus Simon
Rules Don Scott
Transportation Karrie Delaney

Legislation

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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

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References

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  1. ^ Times-Dispatch, CHARLOTTE RENE WOODS Richmond (2023-11-09). "Scott poised to become first Black Speaker of the House of Delegates". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  2. ^ Times-Dispatch, CHARLOTTE RENE WOODS Richmond (2023-11-14). "Parties shuffle leadership roles amid partisan flip of Virginia House chamber". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2023-11-14.