Capitol Briefs: Week 1

The Virginia General Assembly gaveled in on Wednesday, January 14, but the defining story of the opening week was one of pomp, circumstance, and transition. On Saturday, Abigail Spanberger was sworn in as Virginia’s 75th governor, and representatives from the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association and the dealer community were in Richmond to mark the occasion.

VADA is a longtime participant in gubernatorial inaugurations, providing an opportunity for members to engage at the start of a new administration. This year, VADA’s legislative team attended inaugural events at Main Street Station alongside dealers Tim Pohanka (VADA's Legislative and PAC Chair) and Tanner Hulette, a VADA executive committee member.

As lawmakers took their oaths and committees began organizing, Richmond welcomed 21 new legislators, signaling a session focused on relationship-building and education. Among the notable appointments, Gov. Spanberger named VADA President and CEO Don Hall to the Board of Visitors at the Virginia Military Institute.

“VMI’s mission is built on leadership development, character, and service,” Hall said. “These values belong to all Virginians. I will work to ensure the Institute provides a fair and consistent standard for every qualified applicant and cadet, while preserving traditions and expanding opportunity.”

For VADA, the opening week was about showing up for a historic moment — Gov. Spanberger is the first woman to serve as Virginia’s governor — building new relationships, and setting the stage for the months ahead.

Looking ahead

With the pageantry of opening week behind them, lawmakers are expected to turn quickly to committee work and substantive debate. VADA will remain fully engaged — tracking legislation, meeting with new members, and advocating for policies that protect dealers, consumers, and the franchise system.

We expect to see upwards of 3,500 bills and resolutions introduced this year based on past statistics. Thus far, only 1,900 bills have been posted. The deadline to introduce legislation is Friday, January 23.

Here are some of the issues that we are watching already. We will provide you will additional details on legislation in next week’s update.

Transportation Funding

There are various bills to impose taxes and fees to fund transportation. That includes a tax on numerous services statewide and regionally, including car repairs and additional regional highway use fees.

Dealer-Related Issues

There are measures on exhaust noise, safety inspections, and dealer licensing.

Business and labor legislation

There are bills considering class actions, minimum-wage increases, employee protection measures, Consumer Protection Act changes, Human Rights Act updates, non-discrimination policies, and “stay-or-pay” contract proposals.

Workforce and education initiatives

There is discussion for expanding funding for apprenticeships and technical education programs — an area of strong interest given the ongoing technician shortage with dealers.

EV infrastructure

Several bills related to electric vehicles are expected again this year aimed at expanding EV charging infrastructure statewide. Supporters are hopeful that funding for charging deployment may finally advance this session.

Transportation committee changes

There were also some shifts in membership on the House and Senate Transportation Committee. New members are listed in italics.

House Transportation Committee

Delaney (Chair), Reid (Vice Chair), Ward, McQuinn, Carr, Watts, Sewell, Glass, McClure, Anthony, Feggans, Bennett-Parker, Guzman, Mehta, Thomas, Knight, Austin, Wyatt, Wiley, O'Quinn, Ballard, Williams

Senate Transportation

Bagby (Chair), Marsden, DeSteph, Suetterlein, Boysko, Hackworth, Sturtevant, Aird, Roem, Diggs, Pekarsky, Mulchi, Srinivasan, Cifers, Jones, M.