VirginiaHB11762026 Regular SessionHouse

Regulatory boards, certain; quorum requirements.

Sponsored By: Nicole Cole (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; quorum requirements for certain regulatory boards. Lowers the quorum requirements for the (i) Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects of two engineers, two architects, and two land surveyors to at least one engineer, one architect, and one land surveyor and (ii) Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists of two professional soil scientists, two professional wetland delineators, and two professional geologists to at least one professional soil scientist, one professional wetland delineator, and one professional geologist.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Board setup for soil, wetland, geology

The law creates a 13-member board for soil, wetland, and geology professionals, plus the State Geologist as an ex officio member. Seats are three soil scientists, three wetland delineators, three geologists, and three citizen members. Members serve four-year terms and elect a chairman each year. A quorum is seven, with at least two soil scientists, two wetland delineators, two geologists, and one citizen.

New rules for design licensing board

Beginning July 1, 2026, the design licensing board has 15 members. Seats are three architects, three engineers, three land surveyors, two landscape architects, two interior designers, and two citizen members. Except for citizen seats, members must have at least 10 years of practice or teaching. Members serve four-year terms and elect a president and vice-president. A quorum is nine: two engineers, two architects, two land surveyors, one landscape architect, one interior designer, and one citizen.

Qualifications and nominations for soil board seats

The law sets who qualifies for the professional seats. Geologist members come from varied backgrounds. Soil scientists must have experience in at least one area: soil mapping and classification; soil suitability and land use; teaching and research; or environmental protection rules. Among the three wetland professionals, one has delineation and description experience, one has teaching or research experience, and one has natural resource regulation experience. The Governor selects soil scientist and wetland members from lists of at least three names from their associations and may request nominations to fill mid-term vacancies.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Nicole Cole

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 220 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 38 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/20/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/20/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/18/2026

Reported from General Laws and Technology

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/9/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 2/3/2026

Reported from General Laws

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote 1/29/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0454)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 454 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1176)

    2/25/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1176ER)

    2/25/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    2/25/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    2/25/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    2/25/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (38-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/23/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    2/23/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/20/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/20/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    2/20/2026Senate
  15. Reported from General Laws and Technology (14-Y 0-N)

    2/18/2026Senate
  16. Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

    2/10/2026Senate
  17. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/10/2026Senate
  18. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/9/2026House
  19. Read second time and engrossed

    2/6/2026House
  20. Read first time

    2/5/2026House
  21. Reported from General Laws (21-Y 0-N)

    2/3/2026House
  22. Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 0-N)

    1/29/2026House
  23. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1176)

    1/29/2026House
  24. Assigned HGL sub: Professions/Occupations and Administrative Process

    1/26/2026House
  25. Referred to Committee on General Laws

    1/14/2026House

Bill Text

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