Virginia HB 179: Virginia Fleet Modernization Advisory Council; established, report, sunset.

Bill Text

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26103134D

HOUSE BILL NO. 179

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 6, 2026

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 26 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 38, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2699.16 through 2.2-2699.21, relating to Virginia Fleet Modernization Advisory Council; report.

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Patron—Anthony

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Referred to Committee on Rules

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 26 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 38, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-2699.16 through 2.2-2699.21, as follows:

Article 38.

Virginia Fleet Modernization Advisory Council.

§ 2.2-2699.16. The Virginia Fleet Modernization Advisory Council; purpose.

The Virginia Fleet Modernization Advisory Council (the Council) is established as an advisory council in the executive branch of state government.

The purpose of the Council is to coordinate cost-effective, resilient, and decarbonization-aligned strategies for public and private fleet modernization in the Commonwealth. The Council shall assess current and emerging fleet technologies, strategies, and best practices to support planning and modernization of fleet operations, including cost-effectiveness, efficiency, emissions reductions, safety, and operational resilience. The Council shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Governor and the General Assembly, providing recommendations and guidance on policies, partnerships, and programs that facilitate coordinated planning and investment in fleet modernization. The Council shall align transportation infrastructure investment, workforce development, and fleet policy with long-term climate, energy, and economic resilience goals through data analysis and stakeholder engagement. The Council shall serve as a coordinating entity to align with other state commissions and agencies, providing a forum for fleet input and reducing the need for state agencies to coordinate separately. The Council shall focus its work on fleet operators across the state, local, and private sectors. The Council shall ensure that freight and trucking industry perspectives are integrated into statewide planning, recognizing their essential role in commerce and economic competitiveness.

For purposes of this article, "fleet" means any group of 10 or more motor vehicles owned, leased, operated, controlled, dispatched, or otherwise managed, whether directly or through a contract or agreement, by a state agency or private entity in the Commonwealth, including vehicles that are registered in the Commonwealth, extensively used to provide transportation services within its borders, or otherwise integrated into a public or private fleet operation serving the Commonwealth.

§ 2.2-2699.17. Membership; terms; quorum; meetings.

The Council shall have a total membership of 17 members that shall consist of 15 nonlegislative citizen members and two ex officio members. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed as follows: (i) two members representing local or regional government fleet operations to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; (ii) two members, one of which shall have expertise in fleet electrification or clean infrastructure, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; (iii) 10 members, including (a) two representatives of state agencies with major fleet operations, (b) one representative of the Virginia Association of Counties representing county fleet operations, (c) one representative of the Virginia Municipal League representing municipal and city fleet operations, (d) one representative from a public institution of higher education with transportation research expertise, (e) one representative of a statewide public transit agency, (f) one representative of a metropolitan planning organization, (g) one private-sector fleet operator from the trucking and freight industry, (i) one private-sector fleet operator with logistics or delivery operations experience, and (j) one private-sector fleet operator with utility or energy sector operations experience, to be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly; and (iv) one member with experience in systems planning, public-private partnerships, decarbonization, or advanced mobility and fleet innovation to be appointed by the Governor upon consideration of the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Delegates and Senate Committee on Rules, if any, and subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. The Director of the Department of General Services and the Commissioner of Highways shall serve ex officio with voting privileges. Nonlegislative citizen members of the Council shall be citizens of the Commonwealth.

Ex officio members of the Council shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. Vacancies shall be fi