2026 SESSION

LEGISLATION NOT PREPARED BY DLS

INTRODUCED

26105904D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1377

Offered January 21, 2026

A BILL to establish the Virginia Military Institute Advisory Task Force.

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Patrons—Helmer, Austin, Feggans, Martinez, Reid and Thornton

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Referred to Committee on Rules

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That the Virginia Military Institute Advisory Task Force (Task Force) is hereby created as an advisory commission within the executive branch. The purpose of the Task Force is to determine whether it should continue to be a state-sponsored institution of higher education.

§2. Notwithstanding § 2.2-2101 of the Code of Virginia, the Task Force shall consist of four members of the House of Delegates, at least one of whom shall have served in the military, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; two members of the Senate of Virginia, at least one of whom shall have served in the military, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; a representative of SCHEV; and four civilian members, two of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, and two of whom shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and who shall collectively have subject matter expertise or experience in workforce development, oversight of student welfare at public institutions of higher education, and educational instruction at public institutions of higher education.

§ 3. In conducting its work, the Task Force shall:

1. Reevaluate the findings of the Commission to Survey the Educational System of Virginia in 1928 to (a) determine whether educational services rendered by VMI are duplicated at other institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth and (b) evaluate the relative cost to the Commonwealth and taxpayers of those courses of study at VMI and as compared to other public and private institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth;

2. Determine (a) the extent by which VMI provides leaders to the Armed Forces of the United States at an advantageous cost or with advanced training and capability as compared to other institutions of higher education or other commissioning sources in the Commonwealth and (b) the feasibility of expanding programs at other public institutions of higher education to replace the role of VMI in providing taxpayer-funded commissioned officers to the Armed Forces of the United States;

3. Evaluate (a) the rigor of current academic curriculum offerings at VMI as compared to other public institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth, (b) the extent at which current academic offerings at VMI meet the defense and non-defense needs of the Commonwealth, and (c) whether additional academic program offerings should be approved by SCHEV and provided to students enrolled at VMI, should VMI remain a state-funded institution of higher education;

4. Thoroughly audit any actions taken by the leadership of VMI following the release of the 2021 special investigative report to SCHEV to determine if VMI (a) has initiated any substantial changes to its policies, values, and preventative, investigative, and disciplinary procedures to reduce acts within their student body that could be perceived or classified as racist, sexist, or misogynistic or as an act of sexual harassment or sexual assault; (b) has actively made efforts to distance itself from the lost-cause narrative or other celebrations or promotions of the Confederacy in the American Civil War; and (c) possesses the capacity as an institution to end celebration of the Confederacy;

5. Analyze admissions data for each year of incoming students beginning in 2021 to determine if VMI has been successful in recruiting and admitting a more diverse body of students and if admissions priorities have shifted away from a focus on students with legacy status or other alumni relatives;

6. Based on these analyses and evaluations, provide a recommendation as to whether VMI should continue to receive public funds as a state-sponsored institution of higher education, and include any additional recommendations for actions VMI should take in the future to address any remaining concerns, should it remain a state-sponsored public institution. The task force shall be authorized to explore any other questions or concerns about VMI that may arise, and shall include any such questions or concerns, and the resulting investigations, analyses, and recommendations resulting from or addressing such questions or concerns, in its final report.

§ 4. The Task Force shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2026, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than the first day of the 2027 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.