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Bill

SR 2004

Commending William E. Harrell.

2026, 1st Special Session Introduced by Christie Craig and 7 co-sponsors

Honors William E. Harrell for leading Hampton Roads Transit, including securing regional funding, expanding services (757 Express, Base Express), and building a sustainable, region

Bill text as passed Senate (SR2004ER)
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Bill Summary · SR 2004

Summary: Senate Resolution No. 2004 (SR 2004), Session 2026S1, Virginia

Purpose

  • To commend William E. Harrell for his 40 years of public service and his leadership as president and chief executive officer of Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), upon his retirement in 2026.

Key Provisions and Provisions Details

  • SR 2004 officially recognizes and honors William E. Harrell for:
    • His prior public service roles, including city manager of Chesapeake and municipal leadership roles in Richmond and Suffolk.
    • His tenure as CEO of Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) beginning in 2012 and the achievements reached during that period.
  • The resolution describes Harrell’s impact and accomplishments at HRT, including:
    • Managing a $150 million operating budget.
    • Supervising a workforce of more than 1,000 employees.
    • Overseeing a transit fleet comprising:
    • More than 270 buses on 62 routes.
    • 118 paratransit vehicles.
    • Four ferries.
    • Nine light rail cars on 7.4 miles of Virginia’s only light rail system.
    • Securing the first-ever dedicated regional funding source created by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020 to support regional transit.
    • Implementing the 757 Express, a network of express local and regional bus routes with 15-minute service frequencies to support regional employers.
    • Launching the Base Express, a free shuttle service for sailors and workers at Naval Station Norfolk.
    • Expanding paratransit capacity, creating the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center, and introducing OnDemand microtransit services.
    • Advancing the use of technology to improve operations and customer experience.
    • Building a financially stable, well-managed agency capable of investing in a sustainable future.
    • Fostering regional cooperation by working with the six cities served by HRT to develop a regional model for collaboration.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Honoree: William E. Harrell, in recognition of his public service and leadership at HRT.
  • Hampton Roads Transit and the broader Hampton Roads regional transportation context receive acknowledgment of leadership and milestones achieved during his tenure.
  • The resolution signals continued emphasis on regional collaboration among the six cities served by HRT.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced in the 2026 Special Session (Session 2026S1).
  • Adopted by the Virginia Senate via a voice vote (block vote) on April 23, 2026.
  • The resolution is ceremonial and does not enact policy changes or authorize new funding; its effect is formal recognition and commendation.
  • Sponsors and co-sponsors include senators from both political affiliations and regions:
    • Primary sponsor: Senator Diggs
    • Co-sponsors: Mamie Locke, Aaron Rouse, Louise Lucas, Danny Diggs, Bill DeSteph, Christie Craig, Angelia Graves

Notable Context

  • The bill highlights notable regional transportation milestones, including a dedicated regional funding mechanism established in 2020 and HRT’s expansion of services and technology under Harrell’s leadership.
  • The document frames Harrell’s career and HRT’s evolution as a model of regional cooperation in transportation.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to typical legislative resolutions (ceremonial vs. substantive) or extract a one-paragraph executive summary for press releases.

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

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