HB494
Virginia Personnel Act; hiring preference in state government, certain former federal employees.
Status:
In House
Latest Action:
Feb. 5, 2026
House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB494)
Chief Patron:
Elizabeth Guzman (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. Virginia Personnel Act; hiring preference in state government; certain former federal employees.
Establishes a hiring preference in state government for any person who has been terminated from a position of employment with the federal government on or after April 1, 2025, due to a reduction in the federal budget, initiatives put in place by the federal Department of Government Efficiency, or any ... (More) other effort deemed unrelated to a violation in the workplace, workplace performance, or a dereliction of duty, provided that such person meets all of the knowledge, skill, and ability requirements for the available position. The bill defines the term 'preference' as requiring that a person who has been terminated from a position of employment with the federal government be hired over a person who has not been terminated from a position of employment with the federal government when the two individuals are substantially equal in qualifications for an eligible position. The bill sunsets on January 21, 2029. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/12/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102456D
- 01/12/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on General Laws
- 01/19/2026 - House: Assigned HGL sub: Professions/Occupations and Administrative Process
- 01/20/2026 - House: Placed on General Laws Agenda
- 01/22/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB494)
- 01/28/2026 - House: Placed on General Laws Agenda
- 01/29/2026 - House: House subcommittee offered
- 01/29/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (7-Y 2-N)
- 02/02/2026 - House: Placed on General Laws Agenda
- 02/03/2026 - House: Reported from General Laws with substitute and referred to Appropriations (15-Y 6-N)
- 02/03/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Appropriations
- 02/03/2026 - House: Assigned HAPP sub: General Government and Capital Outlay
- 02/03/2026 - House: Committee substitute printed 26105902D-H1
- 02/05/2026 - House: Placed on Appropriations Agenda
- 02/05/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB494)
