Virginia HB 932: General Assembly; recodification of Title 30, effective clause for certain enactments.

Bill Text

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26101408D

HOUSE BILL NO. 932

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 13, 2026

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a title numbered 30.1, containing a subtitle numbered I, consisting of chapters numbered 1 and 2, containing sections numbered 30.1-100 through 30.1-237, a subtitle numbered II, consisting of chapters numbered 3 through 10, containing sections numbered 30.1-300 through 30.1-1012, and a subtitle numbered III, consisting of chapters numbered 11 through 16, containing sections numbered 30.1-1100 through 30.1-1613, and to repeal Title 30 (§§ 30-1 through 30-453) of the Code of Virginia, relating to the General Assembly and members thereof, the legislative branch of government, and legislative commissions, councils, committees, and other legislative entities.

—————

Patron—Simon

—————

Referred to Committee on Rules

—————

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a title numbered 30.1, containing a subtitle numbered I, consisting of chapters numbered 1 and 2, containing sections numbered 30.1-100 through 30.1-237, a subtitle numbered II, consisting of chapters numbered 3 through 10, containing sections numbered 30.1-300 through 30.1-1012, and a subtitle numbered III, consisting of chapters numbered 11 through 16, containing sections numbered 30.1-1100 through 30.1-1613, as follows:

TITLE 30.1.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

SUBTITLE I.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND MEMBERS THEREOF.

CHAPTER 1.

MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Article 1.

Privileges and Duties of Members.

§ 30.1-100. Time and place of meeting of General Assembly; special sessions.

A. The General Assembly shall meet in regular session on the second Wednesday in January of each year. It shall sit at the Capitol in the City of Richmond but may adjourn to any other place.

The General Assembly may, by joint resolution, direct the holding of such session in the restored Capitol at Williamsburg, Virginia, as may seem proper.

B. In the event the General Assembly cannot safely meet at the Capitol or at the place to which it has adjourned because of a public enemy, a dangerous contagious disease, or any other cause, each house may meet at such other place as each house so determines.

C. The Governor shall promptly convene a special session upon the application of two-thirds of the members elected to each house at such time and place as designated by the application or, if the time and place are not designated, at such convenient and reasonable time and place as the Governor appoints.

§ 30.1-101. Privilege of members from arrest; exception for criminal offenses.

During any session of the General Assembly, and for five days before and after the session, members of the General Assembly shall be privileged from being taken into custody or imprisoned and no member of the General Assembly shall be compelled as a witness in any case.

However, any member of the General Assembly who is alleged to have committed a criminal offense shall be subject at any time to be charged, arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned for such offense.

§ 30.1-102. Privilege of members for words spoken or written.

No member or former member of the General Assembly shall be arrested or imprisoned for or on account of any words spoken or written or any proceedings had in either house, but nothing shall restrict the power that each house of the General Assembly has over its respective members.

§ 30.1-103. Writs of habeas corpus.

Any court awarding a writ of habeas corpus in which a member of the General Assembly is named shall have power to compel obedience to such writ.

§ 30.1-104. Civil proceedings for or against members during session.

A. During any session of the General Assembly, any civil action in which a member of the General Assembly is a party may be commenced but shall not be tried without such member's consent.

B. During the period beginning 15 days prior to the commencement of any session and ending 15 days after the adjournment of such session, no member of the General Assembly shall be compelled in any civil action to appear or file a responsive pleading, nor shall any such person be held in contempt.

§ 30.1-105. Continuance or time for filing pleading, etc., where party or attorney is member of the General Assembly.

A. During the period beginning 30 days prior to the commencement of any session and ending 30 days after the adjournment of such session, any party to an action or proceeding in any court of the Commonwealth, including any commission or other tribunal having judicial or quasi-judicial powers or jurisdiction, who is a member or member-elect of the General Assembly or who has, prior to or during the session of the General Assembly, employed or retained an attorney who is or becomes a member or member-elect of the General Assembly to represent him in such action or proceeding shall be entitled to a continuance as a matter of right.

B. During the p