Infrastructure Services

• What mandate does the General Assembly have to maintain its own data center and network infrastructure?

Section 30-34.14 of the Code of Virginia directs DLAS to carry out data center and general data processing duties for the General Assembly and its agencies.

• What agencies are served by the DLAS Data Center and Network Infrastructure?

Legislative agencies located in the General Assembly Building, Patrick Henry Building, Old City Hall, and Capitol Building. Some additional agencies reside at other buildings, including JLARC, VHC, JCHC, BHC, etc.

• If I have a problem with my PC or the network seems slow, who do I contact?

Contact the DLAS Help Desk by calling (804) 786-9631 or by sending an email to helpdesk@dlas.virginia.gov. The Help Desk can best direct your inquiry to the most capable DLAS staff member to help solve your problem.

• How can I access the internet when I come to visit the General Assembly?

If you bring your own laptop, you can use the "CapPublic" wireless network (accessible in the General Assembly and Capitol Buildings) to connect to the internet.

• When are maintenance and security updates performed on DLAS servers and network equipment?

Every Thursday morning between 5:30am and 8:00am DLAS servers are recycled and updated to ensure that security patches are applied and that server performance is optimized. Public facing server(s) should have updates completed by 7:00am. Database systems are inaccessible between 3:30am and 5:30am daily for backup and reorganization.

IT Security

• What should I do if I receive email from an unknown sender?

Always assume that there is malicious intent behind emails sent from unknown senders. Please contact IT Security about these suspicious messages either at itsecurity@dlas.virginia.gov or call 804-967-3610

• What if there is a message on my screen saying I need to update my virus software settings?

Contact IT Security at itsecurity@dlas.virginia.gov or call 804-967-3610 to determine whether this is a valid message. Most software updates are done behind the scenes and either your PC has been infected with some sort of malware (malicious software) or you are seeing a potential scam.

Digital Services

APPLICATION PROGRAMMING

• Who can take advantage of DLAS application programming services?

Any legislative agency or member of the General Assembly can request application programming services. Projects must relate directly to the operation and mission of the General Assembly and its agencies.

• Who do I contact at DLAS for application programming services?

Any member of the DLAS staff can direct you to those who carry out this function.

DESIGN AND WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT

• Who can use DLAS design and website development services?

Any legislative agency or member of the General Assembly needing graphic design services. Projects must relate directly to the operation and mission of the General Assembly and its agencies.

• Who do I contact at DLAS for graphic design and website services?

Any member of the DLAS staff can direct you to those who carry out this function.

• How much does it cost to put up a website or procure graphic design services from DLAS?

DLAS does not charge for graphic design or website development services when you use their in-house resources.

• How can I maintain control over the content of my website?

DLAS can set up your website in content management solution (CMS) that will give you control over the content of your website without having to know HTML.

• What do I have to know to set up a website using DLAS design services?

Just bring us your requirements and DLAS will provide the professional resources to construct and design your website.

• Why does DLAS provide Web and graphic design services?

Each legislative agency has a website that communicates their mission and message. Effective design can help focus the message, encourage readership, and reflect the professional quality of the content.

Print Production and Distribution

LEGISLATIVE BILL ROOM

• Who operates the Legislative Bill Room?

The Division of Legislative Automated Systems (DLAS).

• Where is the Legislative Bill Room located?

The Bill Room is located in the 9th and Broad Street parking garage.

• Why does DLAS operate and staff the Legislative Bill Room?

Sections 30-34.3 through 30-34.10 of the Code of Virginia direct DLAS to manage the printing and distribution of all bills, resolutions, and calendars, as well as many other mandated legislative publications for the General Assembly.

• How do I contact the Legislative Bill Room?

DLAS maintains a year-round walk-up window for the public to request paper copies of bills, resolutions, calendars, etc. The Legislative Bill Room staff can also be contacted by emailing billroom@dlas.virginia.gov or by calling (804) 786-6984. During the General Assembly session, the Bill Room is open from 8:15am to 5:00pm. Non-session hours are from 7:30am to 4:15pm.

• What additional services are provided through the Legislative Bill Room?

DLAS offers a fee-based bill box subscription service to receive all printed legislative publications. The Bill Room also serves the General Assembly as an in-house on-demand print shop.

LEGISLATIVE PRINTING

• Who operates and maintains the General Assembly’s high speed printing technology?

DLAS’s Legislative Bill Room staff operate and maintain high-speed print and binding equipment to produce on-demand and in-house print publications for the General Assembly and its agencies. This service allows the General Assembly to actively manage its printing needs by only printing in quantities needed for any publication distribution as well as reduce the cost of low volume and custom print jobs.

• What is on-demand printing?

On-demand printing is the use of high-speed printing technology to print only the number of copies needed for any publication distribution upon request.

• How has the General Assembly benefited from the use of on-demand print technology?

The General Assembly has been able to reduce the number of printed bills and resolutions by outside contractors from 1600 copies per bill to 200 copies per bill over the past 8 years. This has resulted in major cost savings as well as a significant reduction in waste. For many other legislative documents, DLAS no longer has to maintain an inventory on-hand but rather can print these publications by individual request.

• Who can use DLAS in-house printing services?

Any legislative agency or member of the General Assembly needing print or copy services for publications and materials directly related to the operation and mission of the General Assembly and its agencies.

• What options are available for publications produced using DLAS in-house printing services?

DLAS can produce a wide variety of publications. Clients can select from various types of paper stock, multiple binding options, and use of color. Custom cut and trimmed publications are also available.

• What binding options does the Legislative Bill Room offer for in-house publications?
1. 1. Perfect bind - flexible adhesive attaches a paper cover to the spine of the assembled pages.
2. 2. Spiral bind - attaching loose sheets by means of a plastic coil being passed through punched holes.
3. 3. Saddle stitch - securing loose printed pages with staples down the middle of the folded sheets of paper.
4. 4. Side stitch - stapling of sheets on the side closest to the spine.
5. 5. Corner stitch - a single wire stitch (staple) used to secure the document in the corner.

Several types of cover options are available ranging from high gloss photo quality to clear plastic to heavy paper stock.

• Is color printing available through the Legislative Bill Room?

Yes. DLAS has color printing equipment that provides spot or full color print jobs.

• How quickly can the Legislative Bill Room turnaround a print job or just make copies?

DLAS utilizes the high-speed print technology where print jobs can be submitted directly from a PC or from paper copies scanned into the system. The printer produces copies at speeds of 160 pages per minute. Color printing is slightly slower at 130 pages per minute. Depending on your binding option, production times can vary.

• What does it cost to use the Legislative Bill Room printing services?

DLAS charges legislative agencies for printing and binding publications not mandated by the Code of Virginia. Charges are calculated based on number of pages, type of paper stock, binding option, and whether color is used. Charges are designed to recover the costs of supplies and resources. DLAS will help determine the most cost-effective option for your printing needs.

BILL BOX SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE

• What publications are available through the Bill Box Subscription Service?

During the legislative session, subscribers have the option of picking up the daily distribution of bills, resolutions, and daily calendars at the Legislative Bill Room walk-up window or have the distribution shipped via UPS or USPS. House and Senate Documents and Budget Bills are also available for an additional fee.

• How much does it cost to subscribe to the Bill Box Subscription Service?

To pick up the bills, resolutions, and daily calendars	$500
To ship bills, resolutions, and daily calendars	$700
To ship House and Senate documents only	$250

Calendars are available at the door daily at no charge.

• How do I subscribe to the Bill Box Subscription Service?

Drop by the Legislative Bill Room and order a subscription anytime.

Other FAQ's

• Is there wireless access in the Capitol Square area?

Yes. DLAS, in conjunction with the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia, provides wireless internet services in the Pocahontas Building as well as in the Capitol Building. The public-use wireless network appears as "CapPublic".

• Is training available for the Legislative Information System (LIS)?

Yes. The Division of Legislative Automated System (DLAS) provides LIS training sessions during November and December each year. The sessions are free and available for both new users and for those who just need a refresher. Sign up and dates for training are usually posted in October and can be found here.

• When can I call the DLAS Help Desk?

The DLAS Help Desk is available year-round. They can be contacted via email and telephone. During business hours, Monday through Friday, DLAS staff are available to the general public to answer questions related to the Legislative Information System (LIS) and the legislative process in general. For legislative staff and members of the General Assembly, DLAS Help Desk staff can assist with questions related to the DLAS supported business systems and the information technology infrastructure of the General Assembly. On-call staff are available to cover emergencies after hours and on weekends.

• When should I contact IT Security vs the DLAS Help Desk?

If you are concerned something occurred that would be related to IT/cyber security, contact IT Security. This would also include receiving a phishing/scam/suspicious email message, a Microsoft Defender / tech support alarm pops up on your screen, your computer is stolen or believe your computer may be infected with ransomware/malware.

On the other hand, contact the DLAS Help Desk for general problems. This would include resetting your password or PIN for email/Active Directory/phone, network connectivity issues (including wireless), VPN problems, mapped drive problems, cannot access a DLAS-managed application or website, printer problems, etc.

• What is the primary role and function of DLAS?

DLAS was created as the General Assembly's primary information technology agency specifically directed to operate a data center, provide application programming services, and manage the printing and distribution of legislative publications. As a service agency, DLAS acts in the best interest of the General Assembly and its agencies by directly providing support and assistance in all areas of information technology from conceptualization to consultation to implementation.

• What services does DLAS provide the General Assembly and its agencies?
1. There are 7 main service areas supported by DLAS staff:
2. 1. Application Programming
3. 2. Data Center and Network
4. 3. Design and website development
5. 4. Print Production and Distribution
6. 6. Legislative Process Support and Training.
7. 7. IT Security.
• What services does DLAS provide for the public?
1. DLAS provides three key services to the public:
2. 1. Legislative Information System (LIS)
3. 2. Legislative Bill Room
4. 3. Help Desk
• Who at DLAS do I contact if I have a question or problem?

The Contact Information page of this website includes contact information for DLAS staff, General Information, Legislative Bill Room, and Help Desk.

• What entity directs and controls the activities and initiatives of DLAS?

DLAS is under the direction and control of the Committees on Rules of the House of Delegates and the Senate acting jointly. Section 30-34.12 of the Code of Virginia establishes this line of authority and specifically empowers the Director to carry out the duties of the agency.