HB1377 • 2026

VMI; Bd. of Visitors to examine higher education at the Institute.

An Act to direct the Virginia Military Institute's Board of Visitors to examine certain aspects of higher education at the Virginia Military Institute; report.

Education

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Helmer
Last action: 2026-04-22
Official status: Acts of Assembly Chapter
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify a deadline for submitting the report.

VMI Board Examines Higher Education Practices

This act requires the Virginia Military Institute's Board of Visitors to examine how VMI has responded to certain recommendations from a 2021 investigative report, and to submit findings and suggestions for improvement to the Governor and General Assembly.

What This Bill Does

Directs the VMI Board of Visitors to look at how well VMI followed the advice in a 2021 report about higher education.
Requires the board to review actions taken by VMI's leadership after the release of this report.
Asks the board to study admissions data from 2021 onwards to see if VMI is becoming more diverse and changing its focus away from legacy students.
Allows the board to ask for documents, records, and interviews from current and former members of VMI's community.

Who It Names or Affects

The Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Board of Visitors
Current and former leadership, administrators, educators, and staff at VMI
Enrolled or former students of VMI

Terms To Know

Lost Cause narrative: A historical perspective that glorifies the Confederate South during the American Civil War.
Legacy status: The advantage given to applicants whose family members previously attended a school or institution.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify when the report must be submitted.
Does not detail how VMI should address concerns beyond those in the 2021 report.
Does not outline specific consequences if VMI does not comply with the board's recommendations.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB1377AC

2026-03-14 • Conference

Conference Report

Plain English: JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT We, the conferees, appointed by the respective bodies to consider and report upon the disagreeing vote on House Bill No.

JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT We, the conferees, appointed by the respective bodies to consider and report upon the disagreeing vote on House Bill No.
1377 , report as follows: We recommend that the Senate Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (26109427D) be accepted with the following amendment to resolve the matter under disagreement: 1.
Line 45, Senate Substitute, after Delegates; strike four insert two Respectfully submitted, Delegate Dan I.
Helmer (signed) Delegate Michael B.

HB1377G

2026-04-13 • Governor

Governor's Recommendation

Plain English: (HB1377) GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION I approve the general purpose of this bill, but I am returning it without my signature with the request that the attached Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (26110335D) be accepted.

(HB1377) GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION I approve the general purpose of this bill, but I am returning it without my signature with the request that the attached Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (26110335D) be accepted.

HB1377AH1

2026-02-04 • Member

Delegate Helmer Amendments

Plain English: 2/04/2026 HB 1377 DEL.

2/04/2026 HB 1377 DEL.
HELMER 1.
Line 6, substitute, Title, after force to strike determine whether insert examine higher education at DEL.
HELMER 2.

HB1377H2

2026-04-14 • Governor

Governor Substitute

Plain English: 2026 SESSION HOUSE SUBSTITUTE 26110335D HOUSE BILL NO.

2026 SESSION HOUSE SUBSTITUTE 26110335D HOUSE BILL NO.
1377 AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by the Governor on April 13, 2026) (Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Helmer) A BILL to direct the Virginia Military Institute's Board of Visitors to examine certain aspects of higher education at the Virginia Military Institute; report.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1.
§ 1.

Bill History

2026-04-22 Governor
Governor's recommendation adopted
2026-04-22 House
Signed by Speaker
2026-04-22 Senate
Signed by President
2026-04-22 Governor
Approved by Governor-Chapter 1097 (effective 7/1/2026)
2026-04-22 House
Reenrolled
2026-04-22 House
Reenrolled bill text (HB1377ER2)
2026-04-22 Governor
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1097)
2026-04-22 House
House concurred in Governor's recommendation (69-Y 31-N 0-A)
2026-04-22 Senate
Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
2026-04-13 Governor
Governor's recommendation received by House
2026-04-02 House
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1377)
2026-03-31 House
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
2026-03-31 Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
2026-03-31 House
Signed by Speaker
2026-03-31 House
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
2026-03-31 Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
2026-03-30 Senate
Signed by President
2026-03-30 House
Enrolled
2026-03-30 House
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1377ER)
2026-03-14 Conference
Conference Report released
2026-03-14 House
Conference report agreed to by House (66-Y 29-N 0-A)
2026-03-14 Senate
Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
2026-03-12 Senate
Senate Conferees: Deeds, Lucas, Pillion
2026-03-12 Senate
Passed by for the day
2026-03-12 Senate
Conferees appointed by Senate
2026-03-12 Senate
Senate insisted on substitute
2026-03-12 House
Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 98-N 0-A)
2026-03-12 Senate
Reconsideration of (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-03-12 Senate
Senate insisted on amendment (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-03-12 House
House acceded to request
2026-03-12 House
Conferees appointed by House
2026-03-12 House
House Conferees: Helmer, Feggans, Austin
2026-03-11 Senate
Read third time
2026-03-11 Senate
Read third time
2026-03-11 Senate
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
2026-03-11 Finance and Appropriations
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1377)
2026-03-11 Finance and Appropriations
Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to
2026-03-11 Senate
Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
2026-03-10 Senate
Rules suspended
2026-03-10 Senate
Rules suspended
2026-03-10 Senate
Passed by for the day
2026-03-10 Finance and Appropriations
Committee substitute printed 26109427D-S1
2026-03-10 Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-03-10 Senate
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
2026-03-09 Finance and Appropriations
Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (10-Y 4-N)
2026-02-09 Rules
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1377)
2026-02-06 Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
2026-02-06 Finance and Appropriations
Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations
2026-02-05 House
Read third time and passed House (71-Y 24-N 0-A)
2026-02-04 House
Floor Offered
2026-02-04 House
Passed by temporarily
2026-02-04 House
Read second time
2026-02-04 House
Delegate Helmer Floor amendments agreed to
2026-02-04 House
Engrossed by House - committee substitute as amended
2026-02-03 House
Engrossment reconsidered by House
2026-02-03 House
Passed by for the day
2026-02-02 House
Passed by for the day
2026-01-30 House
Read second time
2026-01-30 House
committee substitute agreed to
2026-01-30 House
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
2026-01-29 House
Read first time
2026-01-28 Rules
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1377)
2026-01-27 Rules
Reported from Rules with substitute (11-Y 6-N)
2026-01-27 Rules
Committee substitute printed 26106052D-H1
2026-01-23 Studies Subcommittee
House subcommittee offered
2026-01-23 Studies Subcommittee
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (4-Y 1-N)
2026-01-22 Studies Subcommittee
Assigned HRUL sub: Studies Subcommittee
2026-01-21 House
Presented and ordered printed 26105904D
2026-01-21 Rules
Referred to Committee on Rules

Official Summary Text

Virginia Military Institute; examination of certain aspects of higher education.
Directs the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Board of Visitors to examine and determine VMI's responsiveness to the recommendations provided in the 2021 special investigative report commissioned by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

An Act to direct the Virginia Military Institute's Board of Visitors to examine certain aspects of higher education at the Virginia Military Institute; report.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1.
§ 1. That the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Board of Visitors (the Board) is directed to

examine and determine VMI's responsiveness to the recommendations provided in the 2021 special investigative report commissioned by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The Board shall further explore and recommend other changes that should be made by VMI to distance itself from the Lost Cause narrative, foster an inclusive environment, and address any other concerns raised by the Board.
§ 2. In conducting its work, the Board shall:
1. Audit actions taken by the leadership of VMI following the release of the 2021 special investigative report to SCHEV;
2. 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; and
3. Based on such audit and analyses, provide recommendations for any actions that should be undertaken by VMI as a state-sponsored institution of higher education, and any recommendations for legislation or amendments to the state budget, to ensure that VMI meets the higher education needs of the Commonwealth.
§ 3. The Board 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. Unless otherwise prohibited by law, current and former members of the Board and all current and former leadership, administrators, and educators of VMI shall make available all documents or records, including working papers or related unofficial communications, upon request by the Board. The Board shall be permitted to conduct interviews of enrolled or former students and any individuals currently providing education instruction, serving in an administrative role, serving in a leadership role, or serving on the Board, or any individuals otherwise currently employed at VMI, and any individuals who previously provided such instruction, served in such roles, or were otherwise previously employed at VMI, and such individuals shall make themselves available for interview upon request of the Board.
§ 5. The Board shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations.