The Senate of Virginia on opening day of the 2025 regular session approved its operating resolution and a set of scheduling resolutions, and amended the date for the governor's address to Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.

The actions set internal rules and calendars for the coming session, including per diem provisions for staff pages and legislative assistants and the pre-filing schedule for the 2026 regular session.

Senator Locke (senator from Hampton) moved to suspend the rules and take up Senate Resolution 187, described in the record as the "2025 operating resolution regarding per diem for staff pages and legislative assistance." The motion to suspend rules and to take up SR 187 was adopted by a recorded vote, Ayes 38, No 0. Senator Locke then moved that SR 187 be agreed to; the resolution was agreed to by a recorded vote, Ayes 38, No 0.

The Senate also agreed to House Joint Resolution 455 (a housekeeping resolution to appoint a committee to notify the governor that the General Assembly is organized) and appointed a four-member Senate committee to notify the governor. The chair named Senators Lucas (from Portsmouth), Locke (from Hampton), Sorovel (from Eastern Fairfax County, pending his return), and McDougall (from Hanover) as the Senate members of that committee.

For the governor's joint-assembly scheduling, the Senate considered House Joint Resolution 430. Senator Locke offered and the Senate agreed to a floor amendment that changed the date on line 9 from Wednesday, Jan. 8 to Monday, Jan. 13 to receive the governor and his address. The motion to suspend the rules and take up HJR 430 passed by recorded vote, Aye 36, No 0; the amendment was agreed to by voice vote; and the resolution was agreed to by recorded vote, Ayes 36, No 0.

The Senate also took up House Joint Resolution 429, the pre-filing schedule for the 2026 regular session, which the Senate agreed to by recorded vote, Ayes 36, No 0. Senator Locke explained that lines 13'18 (Rule 2 and Rule 3) were adjusted to provide longer turnaround time for the Division of Legislative Services (DLS) to return corrections and redrafts for prefiled bills.

The chair appointed the committee to inform the governor that the General Assembly is duly organized and ready to receive any communication he may desire to make; the committee returned and reported that the governor would address a joint assembly. The Senate recessed and later reconvened for additional morning-hour business and announcements.

Senator Lucas (from Portsmouth) moved to adjourn until 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, pursuant to Article 4, Section 6 of the Constitution, with the consent of the House of Delegates to adjourn for more than three days; the motion carried by voice vote and the Senate adjourned. The motion also included adjourning "in honor of President Jimmy Carter," which the Senate agreed to.

Votes at a glance:
- Senate Resolution 187 (2025 operating resolution regarding per diem for staff pages and legislative assistance): mover: Senator Locke; outcome: agreed to; recorded vote Ayes 38, No 0.
- House Joint Resolution 455 (notify governor of organization; appoint committee): taken up and agreed to by voice vote; committee appointed (Senators Lucas, Locke, Sorovel, McDougall).
- House Joint Resolution 430 (joint assembly scheduling; amended date for governor's address): mover to suspend rules and take up: Senator Locke; floor amendment changing governor's address to Jan. 13 offered by Senator Locke and agreed to; outcome: agreed to; recorded vote Ayes 36, No 0.
- House Joint Resolution 429 (2026 pre-filing schedule): mover: Senator Locke; outcome: agreed to; recorded vote Ayes 36, No 0.

The measures are procedural and set the Senate's internal operations and calendar for the 2025 session. Several items noted in the morning hour included committee scheduling (the Committee for Courts of Justice meeting was announced for 8 a.m. Monday) and operational notices for staff and members.