2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26101483D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1176

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-403, as it shall become effective, and 54.1-2200.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; quorum requirements for certain regulatory boards.

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Patrons—Cole, N.T. and Krizek

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Referred to Committee on General Laws

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 54.1-403, as it shall become effective, and 54.1-2200.2 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 54.1-403. (Effective July 1, 2026) Board members and officers; quorum.

The Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects shall be composed of 15 members as follows: three architects, three professional engineers, three land surveyors, two landscape architects, two certified interior designers, and two nonlegislative citizen members.

Except for the nonlegislative citizen members appointed in accordance with § 54.1-107, Board members shall have actively practiced or taught their professions for at least 10 years prior to their appointments. The terms of Board members shall be four years.

The Board shall elect a president and vice-president from its membership.

Nine Board members, consisting of two engineers at least one engineer, two architects one architect, two one land surveyors surveyor, one landscape architect, one interior designer, and one nonlegislative citizen member, shall constitute a quorum.

§ 54.1-2200.2. Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists; membership; quorum.

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 54.1-200, the Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists shall be composed of 13 members as follows: three licensed professional soil scientists, three certified professional wetland delineators, three licensed professional geologists, and three citizen members. The State Geologist shall serve as an ex officio member of the Board. The professional geologist members shall be of varied backgrounds. The professional soil scientist members shall have experience in at least one of the following areas: (i) soil mapping and classification, (ii) soil suitability and land use, (iii) teaching and research in soil science, and (iv) environmental protection regulations. Of the wetland professional members, one shall have experience in wetland delineation and description, one shall have experience in teaching and research in wetland science, and one shall have experience with natural resource regulations. Terms of the members shall be for four years.

B. The Board shall annually elect a chairman from its membership. Seven board members, consisting of at least two one professional soil scientists scientist, two one professional wetland delineators delineator, two one professional geologists geologist, and one citizen, shall constitute a quorum.

C. The Governor may select the professional soil scientist members from a list of at least three names for each vacancy submitted by the Virginia Association of Professional Soil Scientists. The Governor may notify the Virginia Association of Professional Soil Scientists of any professional vacancy other than by expiration among the professional soil scientist members of the Board and nominations may be made for the filling of the vacancy.

D. The Governor may select the wetland professionals from a list of at least three names for each vacancy submitted by the Virginia Association of Wetland Professionals. The Governor may notify and request nominations from the Virginia Association of Wetland Professionals of any professional vacancy other than by expiration among the wetland professional members.