The Virginia State Senate has forty members. It is the companion to the House of Delegates which has 100 members.

The two bodies form a bicameral legislature which is derived from the original Virginia House of Burgesses formed in 1619. We are the oldest democracy in the New World.

The Senate sits in the State Capitol for sixty days during a biennial budget year and forty-five days during an “off” year. It can also be called into special session by the Governor. Members of the State Senate also serve on standing committees and legislative subcommittees which meet throughout the year.

Serving in the State Senate pays $18,000 a year in salary. Therefore, many members hold full-time employment outside their legislative work.