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In 1914 the Virginia General Assembly created, within the Office of the Attorney General, the Legislative Reference Bureau. The Bureau's sole function was to draft legislation for introduction in the General Assembly. During a major governmental reorganization in 1930, the Bureau became the Division of Statutory Research and Drafting and was moved from the Attorney General's Office to the Legislative branch of state government. In addition to continuing the bill-drafting duties, this new agency was charged with other legal services in support of the General Assembly. From 1968 to 1975, the findings and recommendations of the Legislative Process Commission brought about as many changes in Virginia's legislative processes as had been made during the previous 200 years. This commission concluded that the General Assembly needed greater research capabilities. As a result of the commission's recommendations, in 1973 the Division of Statutory Research and Drafting was redesignated the Division of Legislative Services, changing it from a legal service agency to a general service agency. In 1975 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 response to its enhanced mission, the Division added professionals of disciplines other than law to its staff beginning in 1972; organized into operational teams, each specializing in a specific subject area; and began the development of a legislative reference library. In 1989, under new leadership, the Division was organized into four operational sections: (i) Human and Natural Resources; (ii) Finance and Government; (iii) Business and Jurisprudence; and (iv) Special Projects. The Division's major responsibilities are (i) conducting legal and general research; (ii) drafting legislation; (iii) providing staff support to all standing committees and legislative study committees, subcommittees and commissions; (iv) evaluating the constitutionality and legal effects of legislation; and (v) performing various other member services. | |