Legislative Services, Virginia Division of, Studies

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Preferred citation:

Studies of the Virginia Division of Legislative Services. [cite specific date and Accession number used], State records collection, The Library of Virginia, Archives Branch, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Summary

Creator:
Virginia. Division of Legislative Services.
Preferred citation:

Studies of the Virginia Division of Legislative Services. [cite specific date and Accession number used], State records collection, The Library of Virginia, Archives Branch, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Background

Scope and content:

These General Assembly authorized staff studies document the research activities used to develop and write drafts and final reports on various topics. The records substantiate study findings, conclusions, recommendations and methodology. May include correspondence, working papers, reference material, minutes, meeting agendas, and notes, presentations, research/background material, legislative draft proposals, clippings/articles, presentations, audiotapes, videotapes, study plans and objectives, public hearing comments/transcripts, and reports.

Biographical / historical:

On March 21, 1914 the Legislative Reference Bureau was created within the Office of the Attorney General by an act of the General Assembly. Its primary purpose was to draft legislation for the governor and members of the General Assembly, collect materials related to proposed legislation, maintain files of all legislative documents, and to analyze the legal effects and other aspects of proposed legislation. The agency was to be run by a director appointed by the Governor. On March 24, 1930 the General Assembly changed the name to the Divison of Statutory Research and Drafting and the Division was moved from the Office of the Attorney General to the legislative branch of state government. The director of the Division was required to periodically review the statutory law of the Commonwealth and to suggest changes to the governor. In addition to drafting legislation, the agency was also charged with legal support services for the General Assembly.

The Division of Statutory Research and Drafting was reorganized into the Division of Legislative Services on March 15, 1973. Its director is appointed by the General Assembly and serves at the pleasure of committees on rules of the Senate and House of Delegates. By 1975 the Legislative Process Commission concluded that the General Assembly needed greater research capabilities. That same year, the Division was given the responsibility of providing both legal and research staff support to all standing committees of both houses of the General Assembly. In 1989, under new leadership, the Division was organized into operational sections, currently Business and Jurisprudence; Finance and Government; and Rules, Education, Elections and Special Projects. The Division's major responsibilities include conducting legal and general research, drafting legislation, providing staff support to all standing committees and legislative study committees, subcommittees and commissions, evaluating the constitutionality and legal effects of legislation, and performing various other member services. The mission of the Division of Legislative Services is to assist legislators in fulfilling their duties and obligations as members of the General Assembly.

Acquisition information:

Accession 39745 was transferred by the Virginia Division of Legislative Services, July 12, 2002.

Accession 40083 was transferred by the Virginia Division of Legislative Services, October 21, 2002.

Accession 40914 was transferred by the Virginia Division of Legislative Services, October 22, 2003.

Accession 42271 was transferred by the Virginia Division of Legislative Services, November 3, 2005.

Accession 42785 was transferred by the Virginia Division of Legislative Services, August 8, 2006.

Accession 44007 was transferred by the Virginia Division of Legislative Services, November 14, 2008.

Accession 44467 was transferred by the Virginia Division of Legislative Services, September 21, 2009.

Accession 45317 was transferred by the Virginia Division of Legislative Services, December 13, 2010.

Processing information:

This collection has been processed using minimal processing standards: the original arrangement has been maintained, the container list is brief and simple, and the records have not been refoldered and fasteners have not been removed.

Arrangement:

Arranged by study.

Physical description:
219 cu. ft.