The West Virginia legislature (consisting of the House of Delegates and the Senate) convenes each year for a regular session that runs for 60 consecutive days beginning on the second Wednesday of January. During the regular sessions, bills are introduced, debated, amended, referred to committees and some become law.
The legislature also meets monthly (this year they did not meet in June) between legislative sessions, for three days of “interim meetings” of its various committees. These meetings allow discussion of continuing and new issues facing the State and include public comment. They are held in Charleston as well as other locations. No bills are passed during interim meetings because the full legislature is not convened.
When issues are considered too pressing to wait for the next annual regular session, the governor may call a special session. The governor issues a proclamation listing the only issues that will be addressed. During a special session, legislation may be presented, voted on, and passed because the legislature is convened.
Upcoming Meetings
The legislature has announced interim meetings scheduled for September 10-12, October 15-17, November 12-14, December 10-12, and January 7-9 (2024). The next regular legislative session will begin on January 10, 2024.
Susan Benzinger is a retired tax attorney and active volunteer in Jefferson County. She currently co-manages the newly-established Blue Ridge Food Pantry to provide food assistance to residents of the easternmost portion of Jefferson County (FB: BRFoodPantry).
By Susan Benzinger