The Virginia House of Delegates on July 18, 2024, adopted House Joint Resolution 6004, which limits the subjects that may be brought before Special Session I of the 2024 General Assembly to matters such as confirming appointments, electing judges and addressing federal-government actions that affect Virginians. The resolution passed on a roll call of 59 ayes and 38 noes.

The measure’s sponsor told the chamber that "this resolution outlines the limited purposes of special session 1," and said the limits are intended to prevent unrelated or nonurgent matters from derailing the session. The sponsor added that the resolution "should be read in tandem with 6,001." The clerk announced the vote: "Ayes, 59. Nos, 38. The resolution is adopted." (Vote announced by the Clerk.)

According to the sponsor’s remarks on the House floor, the scope allows essential business including confirmations and judicial elections and gives the House authority to respond to sudden federal actions "including those that are impacting Virginians," with particular reference to the Commonwealth’s large population of federal workers. The sponsor framed the limits as a way to keep the special session focused and accountable to constituents.

After the adoption, a member moved that the House stand in recess until the Senate communicates its actions on House Joint Resolution 6004. The House recessed from the special session pending that communication and returned to the 2025 regular session, per the presiding officer’s direction.

The resolution and the accompanying floor remarks repeatedly referenced House Joint Resolution 6001 as a related procedural document; the sponsor said the two measures should be read together. The resolution is procedural in nature and does not itself change state law or appropriate funds; it establishes the permissible subject matter for the special session.

House records show Delegate LaVere Bowling participated electronically under House Rule 4. The clerk reported the journal for July 18, 2024, earlier in the morning hour.

The House’s action limits what bills and other measures may be introduced or considered during Special Session I and leaves substantive policy changes to subsequent sessions unless they fall within the narrowly defined purposes of the adopted resolution.