Filing Deadlines
By action of the 1995, 1996, and 1997 Sessions of the General Assembly, three categories of bills have been added to the list of legislation that must be filed by the first day of the General Assembly Session (unless requested by the Governor or "filed in accordance with the rules of the General Assembly").Local Fiscal Impact (§ 30-19.03:1; Chapter 743, 1995 Acts of Assembly)
Any bill that mandates an additional expenditure by any county, city, or town must be filed on or before the first day of the session. A mandate has the effect of (i) requiring the performance of a new or expanded service or maintaining an existing service at a specific level, (ii) assuming administrative costs in support of state-related programs, or (iii) furnishing capital facilities for state-related activities.Prison Impact (§§ 30-19.1:4 and 30-19.1:6; Chapter 462, 1995 Acts of Assembly and Chapter 972, 1996 Acts of Assembly)
All adult/juvenile corrections bills must have a statement of fiscal impact prepared and must be filed on or before the first day of the session. A fiscal impact statement is required for any bill that would result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment in state correctional facilities or periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice, including those bills that (i) add new crimes or increase the periods of imprisonment or commitment for existing crimes, (ii) impose minimum or mandatory terms of confinement, or (iii) modify the law governing release in such a way that the time served will increase.Virginia Retirement System (§ 30-19.1:7; Chapter 610, 1997 Acts of Assembly)
Any bill that amends, repeals, or modifies any provision of the Virginia Retirement System, the State Police Officers' Retirement System, or the Judicial Retirement System must be filed on or before the first day of the session. The Board of Trustees of the Virginia Retirement System shall submit to the Clerks' offices, the Commission of Local Government, the House Committee on Appropriations, and the Senate Committee on Finance a statement of (i) the financial impact of the proposed bill on the general fund and on the local governments that have opted to be part of VRS and (ii) the policy implications of the bill on the various systems administered by the Board of Trustees._____________________________
Other categories of legislation that must be filed by the first day include local charter and optional forms bills, personal relief (claims) bills, and property tax exemption bills. There is an exemption for bills requested by the Governor.