Notifying the Governor of organization.
House Joint Resolution 38 is a procedural resolution used at the start of a legislative session. It directs that a joint committee be appointed, consisting of six members from the House of Delegates and four from the Senate, to formally notify the Governor that the General Assembly is organized and prepared to receive any communication he may wish to deliver. The resolution does not create new policy, appropriate funds, or amend substantive law; it simply carries out a customary organizational step between the legislature and the executive branch.
Because the measure is purely ceremonial and administrative, its practical effect is limited to confirming the General Assembly’s readiness to conduct business and communicate with the Governor. It serves as an official record of the legislature’s organization for the 2026 session and reflects the formal procedures used to open a legislative term.
HJ38 has no direct impact on the state code, regulations, or substantive rights and duties of any person or entity. It does not amend existing statutes, establish new programs, or alter agency authority. Its effect is limited to legislative procedure: authorizing a small committee to notify the Governor that the General Assembly is duly organized and ready for communications.
The available record suggests unanimous and routine support for the resolution. It was agreed to by both the House of Delegates and the Senate on January 14, 2026, and there are no recorded votes, amendments, or committee debates indicating disagreement. The tone of the measure is procedural and ceremonial rather than policy-driven.
There is no notable contention in the available materials. No committee transcripts, recorded opposition, or vote breakdowns are provided, and the resolution’s subject matter is a standard organizational formality. Any discussion would likely have centered only on the customary appointment of the notification committee and the timing of the formal message to the Governor.