WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HJ 616

Commending Colonel Gary T. Settle.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lashrecse Aird and 77 co-sponsors

The bill formally commends Colonel Gary T. Settle for his decades of public service and leadership as head of the Virginia State Police.

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ616ER)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HJ 616

Summary: House Joint Resolution No. 616 (HJ616ER) — Commending Colonel Gary T. Settle

What this bill is

HJ616ER is a ceremonial concurrent resolution recognizing and commending Colonel Gary T. Settle on the occasion of his retirement as superintendent of the Virginia State Police (VSP). The resolution expressing admiration and appreciation was agreed to by both the Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate in February 2025 and enrolled as the final submitted text.

Purpose and intent

  • To formally commend Colonel Gary T. Settle for his long career in law enforcement and his tenure as the head of the Virginia State Police.
  • To acknowledge his leadership, public service, community engagement, and the role he played in guiding the Commonwealth’s premier law-enforcement agency.

Key provisions and content

  • The resolution provides a biographical overview of Colonel Settle, noting:
    • Native of Rappahannock County and Virginia State Police Academy graduate (class president of the 78th Basic Session).
    • Early career as a patrol trooper in the Culpeper Division; served as sheriff of Rappahannock County (1996–2000).
    • Leadership roles in the Virginia State Police: deputy director of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (2015), director (2017), and superintendent (appointed 2018 by Governor Northam; reappointed in 2022 by Governor Youngkin).
    • Oversight of broad VSP functions, including patrol, investigations, counterterrorism, background checks, professional standards, and administrative operations.
    • Collaboration with thousands of sworn officers and civilian staff on a wide range of public safety issues, including natural disasters and high-profile cases.
  • The core action: “That the General Assembly hereby commend Colonel Gary T. Settle on the occasion of his retirement as superintendent of the Virginia State Police.”
  • Administrative finale: The Clerk of the House is to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to Colonel Settle.

Who is affected

  • The primary subject is Colonel Gary T. Settle, in recognition of his service. The resolution is ceremonial and does not impose duties, funding, or policy changes on government agencies.
  • The Virginia State Police and its personnel are acknowledged in relation to Colonel Settle’s leadership and service.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 7, 2025.
  • Taken up for immediate consideration and agreed to by the House (February 11, 2025).
  • Agreed to by the Senate (February 12, 2025).
  • Rules suspended for final passage (February 12, 2025; 40-Y 0-N in the Rules vote).
  • Enrolled and bill text as passed (HJ616ER) recorded on March 21, 2025.
  • This is a non-fiscal, non-policy, ceremonial resolution; no anticipated budgetary impact.

Significance and impact

  • Symbolic recognition of Colonel Settle’s four-plus decades of public service and seven years as VSP superintendent.
  • Contributes to the public record of appreciation from the General Assembly for leadership, integrity, and contributions to state safety and community relations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.