VMA Legislative EFFORTS

Keep informed about Virginia legislative issues with VMA

The Virginia Motorcoach Association has put together resources to help keep you informed about regulations and legislative action pertaining to the Transportation and Tourism industry in the state of Virginia. This content is available to members only. If you would like to have access to the content please consider joining today! Already a member? Go directly to our Legislative Updates page!

P. Dale Bennett, VMA Lobbyist

Dale Bennett has been the lobbyist for the Virginia Motorcoach Association since January 2021. In addition to this role, he has held the also holds the position of President & CEO of the Virginia Trucking Association (VTA) since October 1989. - a non-profit trade association, formed in 1931.  The VTA membership consists of private and for-hire motor carriers that have locations or do business in the Commonwealth.  The VTA is also supported by suppliers of goods and services to Virginia's trucking industry.  The VTA is the Virginia affiliate of the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

Dale’s prior experience prior to working with the VMA and his position with the VTA includes Before coming to the VTA, Dale worked as a Research Analyst and Legislative Coordinator for the Virginia State Crime Commission, service.  He also served as a Legislative Assistant during the 1982 General Assembly, and as a Committee Clerk for the Virginia House of Delegates during the 1984 General Assembly.

He has been recognized with the following awards during his career:

• The 2001 Distinguished Alumni Award from The Fuqua School.
• The 2011 American Trucking Associations TA (ATA) President’s TAEC Leadership Award that recognizes the state trucking association executive that has gone above and beyond in its support of the ATA merican Trucking Associations, its members and the trucking industry at large.
• The 2017 Virginia Society of Association Executives CEO Award of Excellence that is given to an outstanding association professional who has been nominated by his peers in recognition of his or her leadership and achievement.
• In 2019, Bennett was recognized by the American Trucking Associations for his 30 years of service to the ATA Federation as President & CEO of the Virginia Trucking Association.
• In 2022, Bennett was named to the Virginia Business Magazine 500 Power List for 2022 in the transportation category.

He is a past national chairman of the Trucking Association Executives Council and a past president of the Virginia Society of Association Executives.

Dale is an alumnus of the University of Richmond where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Speech Communications.  He is a past member of Richmond College (University of Richmond) Alumni Association Board of Directors.

During the 2021 General Assembly session, Dale led the VMA’s successful effort to pass legislation to ensure equitable treatment of motorcoach operators in local property tax assessments on their equipment.  In 2022, he secured an amendment to legislation to prevent unfair competition for motorcoach operators from government school bus fleets and helped resolve tolling overcharges on Virginia’s Express Lanes.  Dale has also assisted VMA members with tax and licensing issues at the Virginia DMV.

In addition to his representation of the VMA regarding recent legislative issues, he has also represented the VTA on numerous legislative and executive branch task forces and study committees regarding trucking issues in Virginia.  He serves as a member of several organizations and committees, including:

• American Trucking Associations Communications & Image Policy Committee
• American Trucking Associations Environmental & Energy Policy Committee
• American Trucking Associations Highway Policy Committee
• Trucking Association Executives Council (National Chairman 2010 - 2011)
• Virginia Society of Association Executives - (Past President)
• PrePass Safety Alliance
• Member, Motor Carrier Working Group, The Eastern Transportation Coalition
• Member, Virginia Freight Advisory Committee
• Member, I-81 Truck Parking Task Force

Dale lives in Henrico County, Virginia and is the proud father of a daughter, Elizabeth Bennett.  He has served as a manager and coach of girls softball and is a past member of the Board of Directors of Tuckhahoe Little League in Henrico County, Virginia.  In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf and attending live music and sporting events.