# Virginia SB717: Higher educational institutions, public; duties of governing boards, acceptance & use of donations.

Virginia SB717, Higher educational institutions, public; duties of governing boards, acceptance & use of donations., is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Ryan T. McDougle (Republican); status failed, last action 2024-11-19 (Left in Education and Health) (as of 2026-10-16).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB717-2025
- As of: 2026-10-16
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB717
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Higher educational institutions, public; duties of governing boards, acceptance & use of donations.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2024-01-19
- Last action: 2024-11-19, Left in Education and Health
- Sponsor: Ryan T. McDougle (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (15 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Public institutions of higher education; duties of governing boards; acceptance and use of donations. Provides that the governing board of each public institution of higher education may receive, take, hold, and enjoy any donation or gift made to such institution or governing board and may use and administer any such donation or gift for the uses and purposes designated by the donor or, if no such specific designation is made, for the general purposes of the institution. The bill provides that in the event that a donor specifically designates any particular use or purpose for a donation or gift, each governing board is required to appropriate such donation or gift and any resulting interest, income, and profits only to such specifically designated use or purpose, provided, however, that if such specifically designated use or purpose fails by any means such that the specifically designated use or purpose is permanently frustrated, the whole donation or gift, including unexpended principal and interest, will revert to and be vested in the donor or his legal representatives.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Ryan T. McDougle (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2024-02-01 | Senate | Continued to 2025 in Education and Health | pass | 15 | 0 |   |

## Actions (5)

- 2024-11-19: Left in Education and Health (Senate)
- 2024-02-01: Continued to 2025 in Education and Health (15-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2024-01-26: Assigned Education and Health Sub: Higher Education (Senate)
- 2024-01-19: Referred to Committee on Education and Health (Senate)
- 2024-01-19: Presented and ordered printed 24103429D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2024-01-19: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB717)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB717)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB717-2025 (as of 2026-10-16).