Virginia. Division of Legislative Services

On March 21, 1914 the Legislative Reference Bureau was created 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 Division of Statutory Research and Drafting. The director of the division was required to periodically review the statutory law of the Commonwealth and to suggest changes to the governor.

The Division of Legislative Services was created on March 15, 1973 and its director is appointed by the General Assembly and serves at the pleasure of committees on rules of the Senate and House of Delegates. In addition to the traditional duties of the Division were changed with carrying out research for members of the General Assembly and its committees.