VirginiaHB5542026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

State officers and employees; state agencies to establish alternative work schedules.

Sponsored By: Jessica L. Anderson (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

State officers and employees; state agencies to establish alternative work schedules; reporting requirement. Adds to the annual reporting requirements of each state agency the requirement to include what percentage of changes to the number of employees participating in telecommuting and alternative work is a result of changes in workforce size, a reclassification of positions, or an expansion of telecommuting and alternative work opportunities and the number of employees approved and denied telecommuting and alternative work eligibility. The bill also requires the Department of Human Resource Management to review and publish on its website the statewide telecommuting and alternative work schedule policy every two years.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More telework options for Virginia employees

Every state agency must have a telecommuting and alternative work policy. If your job is judged eligible, your agency lets you telework or use alternative schedules, as long as service is not reduced. Policies must list which types of roles are eligible and which are not, with reasons based on duties. Telecommuting means doing your usual job away from the main office at least one day a week under a written work agreement. Agencies set yearly targets; the law set early goals of at least 25% on alternative schedules by July 1, 2009, and at least 20% telecommuting by January 1, 2010 (the State Police are exempt from the telework goal).

Telework policy reviews and reports

Agencies must update their telework policies when needed. Each year, agency heads report to the Secretary of Administration on telework use, approvals and denials, and any budget needs for IT, software, broadband, phones, or online tools. The Department of Human Resource Management reviews the statewide policy every two years and posts it online with the latest review and effective dates.

Rules for devices in state telework

Agencies prefer state computers and IT for telework when possible. If you are eligible, you may use your own device only when it is practical and it meets security standards set by the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, or the Chief Information Officer approves an exception. This adds flexibility but requires meeting strict security rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jessica L. Anderson

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 227 • No: 92

House vote 3/11/2026

Senate substitute agreed to by House

Yes: 65 • No: 32

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Committee amendments rejected (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate with substitute

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Senator McPike Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Reported from General Laws and Technology with amendments

Yes: 9 • No: 6

House vote 2/9/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 66 • No: 32

House vote 2/3/2026

Reported from General Laws with amendment(s)

Yes: 18 • No: 3

House vote 1/29/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0927)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 927 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB554)

    4/1/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB554ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Senate substitute agreed to by House (65-Y 32-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026House
  11. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB554)

    3/10/2026House
  12. Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  13. Senator McPike Substitute agreed to

    3/10/2026Senate
  14. Committee amendments rejected (Voice Vote)

    3/10/2026Senate
  15. Engrossed by Senate - floor substitute

    3/10/2026Senate
  16. Reading of substitute waived

    3/10/2026Senate
  17. Read third time

    3/10/2026Senate
  18. Floor Offered

    3/10/2026Senate
  19. Passed by for the day

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

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

    3/6/2026Senate
  22. Rules suspended

    3/6/2026Senate
  23. Senate committee offered

    3/4/2026Senate
  24. Reported from General Laws and Technology with amendments (9-Y 6-N)

    3/4/2026Senate
  25. Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

    2/10/2026Senate

Bill Text

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