2026 SESSION

LEGISLATION NOT PREPARED BY DLS

INTRODUCED

26106023D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1420

Offered January 22, 2026

A BILL to direct the Director of the Department of Energy to identify and develop training resources to advance workforce development in the nuclear energy industry.

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Patrons—Whittle and Williams

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Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That the Director of the Department of Energy (the Director) shall identify and develop training resources to advance the nuclear energy industry in the Commonwealth, including the development of nuclear energy careers and training curriculum, such as pre-hire soft skills training and technical skills training, for nuclear plant operations, nuclear engineering and design, radiation protection, nuclear security, maintenance trades, manufacturing trades, and other skilled trades supporting nuclear energy development.

As part of such curriculum, the Director shall assess the availability of nuclear energy developers, reactor technology vendors, nuclear service providers, and supply chain firms that operate within the Commonwealth and, following such assessment, consider establishing training programs aligned with Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements and industry standards, including training on radiation safety fundamentals, nuclear quality assurance, plant operations, emergency preparedness, and security protocols for nuclear energy industry workers.

Training resources for veterans, local workers, and workers from historically economically disadvantaged communities, as defined in § 56-576 of the Code of Virginia, shall be prioritized. In developing such training resources, the Director shall consult with public and private institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth, vocational-technical institutions, apprenticeship programs, and at least one historically black college or university, as defined in § 2.2-1604 of the Code of Virginia.

Funding for developing such training resources may include existing sources of local, state, or federal funding and grant resources for the purposes of identifying and developing skills required to support workforce development in the nuclear energy industry and expand the nuclear energy industry in the Commonwealth. Any training resources developed pursuant to this act shall be developed in coordination with relevant federal programs, including programs administered by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, as well as regional workforce development initiatives.

2. That the provisions of this act shall become effective on July 1, 2026.