VirginiaHB13052026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Regulatory boards; powers and duties, disciplinary action, dismissal.

Sponsored By: May Nivar (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Professions and occupations; powers and duties of regulatory boards; disciplinary action; dismissal. Permits regulatory boards to take a disciplinary case against a licensee under advisement, defer a finding in such case, and dismiss such action upon terms and conditions set by the Board for Professional and Occupational Regulation. The bill additionally clarifies that regulatory boards may take such actions as well as other disciplinary actions and monetary penalties by including a reference to such disciplinary actions and monetary penalties among the listed powers of certain regulatory boards.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 6 mixed.

Tighter rules for contractors and trades

The Board can require remedial training or suspend, revoke, or deny renewal for licensed trades and contractors who break laws or rules, including parts of Titles 60.2 and 65.2. It can also act against a firm with a substantial identity of interest to a revoked contractor, and it generally bars re‑licensure after suspension or revocation (unless allowed by Board regulation). Building officials and water utilities must report unlicensed or incompetent trades and backflow work. These steps raise compliance risk and can stop a business or worker from operating.

Safer asbestos, lead, and home inspections

The Board can fine, suspend, or revoke licenses for asbestos and lead professionals, labs, training programs, and home inspectors for fraud, poor work, or standard violations. Lead or asbestos contractors who let unlicensed workers do abatement can be punished. This improves safety for families when hazardous materials are removed or homes are inspected.

Stronger cemetery and funeral protections

Cemetery licensees face discipline for fraud, false ads, mishandling remains, prohibited solicitation, and improper or hidden fees. Third‑party handling fees are banned; installation fees are still allowed. Licensees must honor valid preneed contract transfers, but they do not have to pay extra transfer costs. These rules help families avoid surprise charges and protect them during burial and funeral purchases.

New ethics and discipline for geologists

The Board adopts and shares a Code of Professional Ethics for geologists and must notify licensees in writing about any changes. After a formal hearing and majority vote, the Board can suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew for fraud, ethics breaches, gross negligence, incompetence, misconduct, or certain felonies. A geologist with a suspended or revoked license may apply in writing for reinstatement by showing good cause; reinstatement needs a majority vote.

Stronger board powers and fees

State boards now set rules, adopt ethics codes, and inspect licensed work. They take complaints and can put someone on probation, suspend, revoke, or not renew a license, and even suspend right away when there is serious danger. Boards must notify you and give a 30‑day right to ask for an informal fact‑finding conference. Providers must show proof of license and any required bond or insurance when asked. Boards may charge application and renewal fees to cover their costs.

Boards set license standards and exams

Boards set the qualifications you must meet to get licensed, including tests. They may prepare, give, and grade exams, and issue licenses to qualified applicants. These steps raise standards for the public but can add time, study, and costs for applicants.

New rules and safeguards for pilots

The Pilots Board can set rules and penalties, including suspending or revoking a pilot’s branch. Before any penalty, the Board must give the pilot a printed copy of the rule. This tightens oversight while adding a clear due‑process protection.

Licensing rules for auctioneers

The Auctioneers Board sets licensing and renewal rules, gives exams, and can fine, suspend, deny renewal, or revoke licenses for cause. This adds clear standards and enforcement, and it can add steps and costs to operate.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • May Nivar

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 218 • No: 4

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Reported from General Laws and Technology

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote 2/9/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 94 • No: 4

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 (CHAP0772)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 772 (effective 7/1/2026)

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

    3/25/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026

    3/25/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1305)

    3/16/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1305ER)

    3/14/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/14/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/14/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/14/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/9/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/6/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/6/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/6/2026Senate
  15. Reported from General Laws and Technology (15-Y 0-N)

    3/4/2026Senate
  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 (94-Y 4-N 0-A)

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

    2/6/2026House
  20. Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

    2/6/2026House
  21. Read first time

    2/5/2026House
  22. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1305)

    2/3/2026House
  23. Reported from General Laws (21-Y 0-N)

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

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

    1/26/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation