General Assembly; Governor to call special session, establishing a schedule for conduct of business.
The resolution invokes Article IV, Section 6 of the Virginia Constitution, which stipulates that the Governor must convene a special session if requested by two-thirds of the members of each house. This procedural step is significant as it establishes a timeframe for legislative action on crucial budgetary matters. The ability to convene a special session is an important legislative tool, allowing for prompt discussion and decision-making on urgent issues that arise outside of the regular legislative calendar.
HJR317 is a House Joint Resolution introduced on March 14, 2026, which applies to the Governor of Virginia to call a special session of the General Assembly. This special session is scheduled for April 23, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. The primary agenda for this session includes the consideration of the Budget Bill, along with any other matters outlined in a procedural resolution governing the conduct of the session. The resolution emphasizes the need for an organized approach to managing legislative business during this period.
The bill passed unanimously in the House with 38 votes in favor and none against. While no opposition has been recorded, the proceedings leading up to the vote could have involved discussions about the implications of the special session, particularly concerning budgeting priorities and the legislative agenda that may emerge from the subsequent discussions.