Confirming Governors appointments; December 1.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Aaron Rouse

Confirms governor's appointments to Virginia state boards and agency heads, formalizing leadership so appointees may serve across agencies and authorities.

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ286ER)

Purpose

SJ 286 is a joint resolution by the Virginia General Assembly that confirms a list of gubernatorial appointments communicated to the General Assembly on December 1, 2024. The resolution formalizes the Legislature’s approval of those appointments so the named individuals may serve in the offices, boards, commissions, and authorities indicated.

Key provisions / what the resolution does

Confirms multiple executive-level appointments and scores of appointments to state boards, commissions, authorities, and advisory bodies.

Confirms four agency head appointments explicitly named in the text:

Scott Adams (Comptroller, Department of Accounts), to serve at the pleasure of the Governor beginning August 10, 2024.
Colleen Dugan Messick (Executive Director, Virginia Commission for the Arts), beginning September 30, 2024.
Tiffany Robinson (Director, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation), beginning November 10, 2024.
Michael Westfall (State Inspector General), reappointed beginning July 1, 2024.

Confirms many other appointments across Administration, Agriculture & Forestry, Authorities, Commerce & Trade, and other state entities — e.g., members of the Cattle Industry Board, Corn Board, Tobacco Board, Virginia Cannabis Control Authority, Hampton Roads Regional Arena Authority, Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority, Virginia Biotechnology Research Partnership Authority, and numerous advisory committees.

Where applicable, the resolution lists appointment dates, term start/end dates, and whether an appointment fills an unexpired term or succeeds a named predecessor.

Who is affected

The named appointees (individuals listed in the resolution).

State agencies, boards, commissions, and authorities that will have confirmed membership and leadership.

Indirectly, stakeholders and regulated entities that interact with these boards and agency leaders (e.g., agriculture industry groups, arts organizations, transportation stakeholders, regional authorities).

Procedural timeline & votes

Introduced: January 20, 2025.

Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections; reported favorably (21–0).

Senate passage: Read third time and agreed to (January 27, 2025) — recorded vote 38–0.

House passage: Agreed to by the House of Delegates (February 7, 2025) — recorded vote 94–0.

Final enrolled text: SJ286ER (bill text as passed Senate and House).

Impact and notes

SJ 286 is primarily ministerial/confirmatory: it does not create new policy or appropriate funds. Its practical effect is to validate and place the confirmed individuals into their positions so they may exercise authority consistent with their respective statutes, terms, and duties.

The resolution includes many specific term dates and identifies when appointments fill unexpired terms or succeed particular officeholders. The enrolled text is the official, final confirmation record.

Bill