HB 777

Virginia Public Procurement Act; required procurement of goods transported by privately owned commercial vessels. Provides that whenever a state agency procures goods that may be transported on ocean-going vessels, such agency shall take steps necessary and practicable to ensure that 50 percent of the gross tonnage of the goods will be transported on privately owned commercial vessels, as defined in the bill. The bill also (i) requires all state agencies to include in every contract for goods that exceeds $10,000 a provision that the contractor must comply with federal and state laws relating to the transportation of goods on privately owned commercial vessels and (ii) provides, beginning November 1, 2026, for the Secretary of Administration to conduct annual reviews of state agency compliance.