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Subcommittee reports bill clarifying VMFA board’s authority over grounds and fees

Virginia House Higher Education Subcommittee · January 28, 2026

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Summary

House Bill 401 clarifies the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts board's authority to keep galleries and grounds open and to set reasonable regulations and fees; VMFA representative David Carey testified in support and the subcommittee reported the bill 8–0.

House Bill 401 would codify the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) board of trustees’ authority to keep galleries and grounds open and accessible to Virginians free of charge and to adopt reasonable regulations and fees for use of board‑controlled property.

The bill’s patron (Speaker 7) told the subcommittee the measure "doesn’t expand the board’s power" but would align VMFA’s statutory language with other public educational and cultural institutions. David Carey, representing the VMFA (Speaker 10), said the museum supports the bill and that the board requested the clarification of authority.

No witnesses testified in opposition. After brief discussion the committee moved to report the bill; the clerk recorded an 8–0 vote to report House Bill 401.

The bill is intended as a statutory clarification rather than an expansion of authority; it also affirms the board’s ability to adopt regulations and fees while preserving a general mission of public access. The subcommittee reported the bill without amendment.