The Bills
Originally, HB1377 would establish the Virginia Military Institute Advisory Task Force to determine if VMI should remain a state-sponsored institution. The task force was to evaluate VMI’s cost, academic rigor, student welfare, and actions regarding past racial issues, submitting a recommendation by Nov. 30, 2026.
What has changed: HB1377 was amended to remove the language regarding VMI’s state funding. The goal of the bill is now to establish a task force to study and examine VMI’s educational and institutional practices. The task force will evaluate academic quality, military training, governance, diversity efforts, and other aspects of the Institute’s operations. It will also look at how VMI has responded to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s 2021 report on the institution. The task force will complete its meetings by Nov. 30, 2026, and report back to the General Assembly and the governor by the start of the 2027 legislative session.
The Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations, Resources Subcommittee reported a substitute version of HB 1377 that further refines the scope of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Advisory Task Force.
This Senate substitute maintains the compromise reached in the House to remove direct “defunding” language but adds specific requirements for the task force’s final recommendations.
The bill now moves to the full Senate of Virginia for a floor vote. If passed with these amendments, it will likely return to the House for concurrence or proceed to a conference committee to resolve any remaining differences between the two versions. The task force is still scheduled to complete its work by November 30, 2026.
HB1377 was reported with a substitute on a 10–4 vote. This marks the bill’s latest forward movement in the Senate.
Context of the Substitute:
- The Senate substitute maintains the House compromise that removed earlier “defunding” language.
- It adds more specific requirements for the task force’s final recommendations while still directing the group to study VMI’s institutional practices, governance, diversity efforts, and response to SCHEV’s 2021 report.
Status as of March 11:
The bill is moving toward a full Senate floor vote and, depending on amendments, may return to the House for concurrence or go to a conference committee.
Originally, HB1374 proposed to dissolve the VMI Board of Visitors. The bill would transfer the governance, control, and oversight of VMI to the board of visitors of Virginia State University.
What has changed: HB1374 was amended to remove the language regarding dissolving the VMI Board of Visitors and transferring its governance. The amended HB1374 retains the VMI BOV rather than dissolving it and reshapes how the board is composed. The BOV is composed of 16 members appointed by the governor. HB1374 proposes that no more than eight board members will be VMI alumni and at least six will be non-alumni who are Virginia residents. It also states that at least five will have U.S. Military experience at the rank of E-7 or O-5 or higher, and these members would either be retired or honorably discharged. The VMI Alumni Association will have the opportunity to submit no more than three nominees for each vacant seat on the board to the governor, who may then appoint a member from the list of nominees. This would apply to all VMI BOV members appointed on or after July 1, 2026. HB1374 also stipulates that no BOV member as of June 30, 2026, will be removed from the BOV to comply with this act.
Following committee action Feb. 11, 2026, and if approved by the full House of Delegates, HB1374 will advance through the legislative process in its amended form and be sent to the Virginia Senate for consideration.
HB1374 has undergone significant revision from its original version that proposed dissolving VMI’s Board of Visitors and transferring governance to Virginia State University.
The amended version:
- Retains VMI’s Board of Visitors.
- Restructures membership requirements, including:
- No more than 8 alumni.
- At least 6 non‑alumni VA residents.
- At least 5 board members with U.S. military experience (E‑7 or O‑5+).
Status as of March 11:
Because the Senate recommitted the bill, it is not currently advancing toward a final Senate vote and will receive additional review at the committee level.
