Democracy Dies in Darkness
Virginia Politics

Va. attorney general: Legislature may hold ‘virtual’ meetings during emergencies

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May 7, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. EDT
Virginia’s House of Delegates met under a canopy outside the state Capitol in April as a precaution against the novel coronavirus. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post)

RICHMOND — Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring has found that the General Assembly has the authority to meet electronically during a time of emergency such as the novel coronavirus crisis.

Herring (D) issued an opinion Thursday morning at the request of House Speaker Eileen ­Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax), finding that language in the state budget permits the House of Delegates and the state Senate to convene remotely because Gov. Ralph Northam (D) has declared a state of emergency.