Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 494: Virginia Personnel Act; hiring preference in state government, certain former federal employees.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 494 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 12, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Virginia Personnel Act; hiring preference in state government, certain former federal employees. Primary sponsor: Liz Guzmán (Democratic). It lists 10 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (April 6, 2026): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0154).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Virginia Personnel Act; hiring preference in state government; certain former federal employees. Allows for an applicant's status as a former federal employee to be given consideration when applying for employment with the Commonwealth if such applicant was terminated from a position of employment with the federal government on or after January 1, 2025, due to a reduction in the federal budget or initiatives put in place by the federal Department of Government Efficiency, provided that such person meets all of the knowledge, skill, and ability requirements for the available position. The bill directs the Department of Human Resource Management, on or before January 1 of each year, to submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly that includes the number of job applications submitted by candidates who self-identified as former federal employees, as well as the number of jobs offered to such candidates. The bill has an expiration date of January 21, 2029.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 6
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liz Guzmán | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 22 |
| Karen R. "Kacey" Carnegie | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Stacey Annie Carroll | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Nadarius Clark | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 84 |
| Josh Cole | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 65 |
| J.R. Henson | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 19 |
| Patrick Hope | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 1 |
| Michelle Lopes Maldonado | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| John Chilton McAuliff | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Charlie Schmidt | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Virgil Thornton | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 86 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0154)
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 154 (effective 7/1/2026)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
- Signed by Speaker
- Signed by President
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB494)
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB494ER)
- Enrolled
- Senate amendment agreed to by House (63-Y 33-N 0-A)
- Passed Senate with amendment (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
- Engrossed by Senate as amended
Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history