HB 1289 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Geologists; added to definition of "professional services," continuing education.

Summary
Professions and occupations; regulation of geologists. Adds geology to the definition of "professional services" as used in the Virginia Public Procurement Act. The bill also eliminates the option for the Board for Professional Soil Scientists, Wetland Professionals, and Geologists to waive the examination requirement for licensure as a professional geologist for an applicant who has at least 12 years of geological work. The bill also requires the Board to promulgate regulations governing continuing education requirements for geologists licensed by the Board that require the completion of eight hours annually in continuing education for any license renewal or reinstatement. This bill is identical to SB 492.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Signed Apr 8, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Professions/Occupations and Administrative Process Subcommittee Substitute Chaptered · 2 edits
MINOR
This bill converts the legislative text from a draft substitute version to the final chaptered version approved by the General Assembly. The substantive policy content regarding geologist licensing, definitions, and continuing education requirements remains unchanged; the only modifications are formatting updates to section headings and minor punctuation adjustments to cross-references.
TECHNICAL

Updated the document header to reflect the final chaptered status with an approval date of April 8, 2026.

Standardized the formatting of section numbers and cross-references by adding spaces between the section symbol and the number (e.g., changed '§ 2.2-4301' to '§ 2.2-4301').

Floor votes · Senate Feb 20, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

How they voted

390
Passed
Total votes 39
Feb 20, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
19 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
31
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Apr 8, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 462 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Feb 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1289ER)
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (38-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from General Laws and Technology (13-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (95-Y 3-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from General Laws with substitute (21-Y 0-N)
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Jan 26, 2026
Committee
Assigned HGL sub: Professions/Occupations and Administrative Process
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on General Laws
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Presented and ordered printed 26102918D
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors