chairs, and the members of standing committees. A
senator or delegate may not be appointed to more
than one standing committee whose main function
is to consider legislation. The Senate or House of
Delegates may suspend rules in order to consider a
bill or resolution without referring it to a standing
committee as long as each member receives a copy
of the bill or resolution to be so considered (Senate
Rule 33(f), House Rule 33(f)).
The fate of most legislative proposals is deter-
mined in committee. Committees hold a public
hearing on each bill or joint resolution assigned to
them. During session, the Department of Legisla-
tive Reference publishes a weekly hearing schedule
so that those interested may testify for or against
proposed legislation. The Department of Fiscal
Services prepares a fiscal analysis for each bill, and

these fiscal notes are considered during committee
deliberations. To gauge a bill's economic impact on
small business, the Department of Fiscal Services,
beginning in 1997, also will prepare an economic
analysis and rating for each proposal introduced by
a member of the General Assembly.
At the committee hearing, testimony usually is
heard from the bill's sponsor and other proponents
and opponents of the bill. Testimony and further
consideration may result in amendments to the bill
made by the committee. The final vote of the
committee is recorded by member, and may be
favorable (with or without amendment), unfavor-
able, or without recommendation. Having been
"voted out of committee," the bill now returns to
the floor of its chamber of origin accompanied by
a report of committee action.