House transportation committee presses secretary on storm response, autonomous vehicles and DMV privacy

RICHMOND — Committee members used the question-and-answer period after Secretary Nick Donahue’s presentation to press for details on regional projects, emergency response and emerging technologies.

Delegate O’Quinn asked for an update on an inland port feasibility study in Washington County; Donahue said his office is reviewing the port authority’s study and will continue due diligence with Norfolk Southern, the Port Authority and local officials.

Delegate Reid sought clarification on the WMATA capital request; Donahue confirmed the $136,000,000 figure is Virginia’s share and said the regional total was cited as "460" during the presentation but the units were not specified. He said Virginia’s share will be determined by the capital funding formula.

Delegate Fagan asked whether the administration supports light rail connecting Virginia Beach and Norfolk; Donahue said the state typically targets roughly 30% of operating assistance, that the administration is open to discussions with local officials and that the state previously offered about $240,000,000 for a Virginia Beach extension that the city declined.

On recent winter storms, Delegate Watts asked how the state analyzes response and coordinates with counties. Donahue praised VDOT crews, described an after-action review and said some tactics have changed — including clearing lanes by moving disabled vehicles to the roadside and recovering them when conditions permit: "we are pushing you to the side of the road," he said.

Delegates McClure and Glass asked about autonomous vehicles and the autonomous vehicle work group; Donahue said the legislatively created work group (DMV, VDOT, state police and others) is studying other states and industry input and will issue a report later this year, and suggested fleet pilots as an early step.

Delegate Delia Guzman raised concerns about Department of Motor Vehicles interactions with ICE and asked how the administration will communicate the governor’s executive order banning ICE agreements; Donahue said officials take DMV data protection seriously, have discussed the topic with Commissioner Lackey and will follow up with outreach and educational steps.

Delegate Reid encouraged coordination with the Secretary of Commerce and economic development officials to attract advanced air mobility manufacturing; Donahue agreed to engage Secretary Chenery.

The committee concluded by thanking Donahue for his presentation and questioning. A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and approved with members saying "aye."