Virginia HB 780: Higher educational institutions, public; appointment and composition of members, powers and duties.

Bill Text

2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26105158D

HOUSE BILL NO. 780

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 13, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-106, 2.2-107, 2.2-108, 2.2-406, 2.2-507, 23.1-200, as it shall become effective, 23.1-1006, 23.1-1300, 23.1-1301, 23.1-1303, 23.1-1304, 23.1-1306, 23.1-1401, 23.1-1402, 23.1-1501, 23.1-1502, 23.1-1601, 23.1-1701, 23.1-1801, 23.1-1802, 23.1-1901, 23.1-2001, 23.1-2002, 23.1-2101, 23.1-2106, 23.1-2107, 23.1-2201, 23.1-2202, 23.1-2209, 23.1-2303, 23.1-2304, 23.1-2501, 23.1-2502, 23.1-2601, 23.1-2602, 23.1-2605, 23.1-2701, 23.1-2801, and 23.1-2902 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 23.1-102.2, 23.1-1303.1, and 23.1-1303.2; and to repeal § 23.1-2504 of the Code of Virginia, relating to public institutions of higher education; governing boards; appointment and composition of members; powers and duties; legal counsel.

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Patron—Callsen

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Referred to Committee on Education

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 2.2-106, 2.2-107, 2.2-108, 2.2-406, 2.2-507, 23.1-200, as it shall become effective, 23.1-1006, 23.1-1300, 23.1-1301, 23.1-1303, 23.1-1304, 23.1-1306, 23.1-1401, 23.1-1402, 23.1-1501, 23.1-1502, 23.1-1601, 23.1-1701, 23.1-1801, 23.1-1802, 23.1-1901, 23.1-2001, 23.1-2002, 23.1-2101, 23.1-2106, 23.1-2107, 23.1-2201, 23.1-2202, 23.1-2209, 23.1-2303, 23.1-2304, 23.1-2501, 23.1-2502, 23.1-2601, 23.1-2602, 23.1-2605, 23.1-2701, 23.1-2801, and 23.1-2902 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding sections numbered 23.1-102.2, 23.1-1303.1, and 23.1-1303.2 as follows:

§ 2.2-106. Appointment of agency heads; disclosure of resumes; severance.

A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Governor shall appoint the administrative head of each agency of the executive branch of state government except the:

1. Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority;

2. Executive Director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia;

3. Executive Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources;

4. Executive Director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation;

5. Executive Director of the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board;

6. Librarian of Virginia;

7. Administrator of the Commonwealth's Attorneys' Services Council;

8. Executive Director of the Virginia Housing Development Authority; and

9. Executive Director of the Board of Accountancy.

However, the manner of selection of those heads of agencies chosen as set forth in the Constitution of Virginia shall continue without change. Each administrative head and Secretary appointed by the Governor pursuant to this section shall (i) be subject to confirmation by the General Assembly, (ii) have the professional qualifications prescribed by law, and (iii) serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

B. As part of the confirmation process for each administrative head and Secretary, the Secretary of the Commonwealth shall provide copies of the resumes and statements of economic interests filed pursuant to § 2.2-3117 to the chairs of the House of Delegates and Senate Committees on Privileges and Elections. For appointments made before January 1, copies shall be provided to the chairs within 30 days of the appointment or by January 7 whichever time is earlier; and for appointments made after January 1 through the regular session of that year, copies shall be provided to the chairs within seven days of the appointment. Each appointee shall be available for interviews by the Committees on Privileges and Elections or other applicable standing committee. For the purposes of this section and § 2.2-107, there shall be a joint subcommittee of the House of Delegates and Senate Committees on Privileges and Elections consisting of five members of the House Committee and three members of the Senate Committee appointed by the respective chairs of the committees to review the resumes and statements of economic interests of gubernatorial appointees. The members of the House of Delegates shall be appointed in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates. No appointment confirmed by the General Assembly shall be subject to challenge by reason of a failure to comply with the provisions of this subsection pertaining to the confirmation process.

C. For the purpose of this section, "agency" includes all administrative units established by law or by executive order that are not (i) arms of the legislative or judicial branches of government; (ii) institutions of higher education as classified under §§ 22.1-346, 23.1-1100, 23.1-3210, and 23.1-3216; (iii) regional planning districts, regional transportation authorities or districts, or regional sanitation districts; and (iv) assigned by law to other departments or agencies, not including assignments to secretaries under Article 7 (§ 2.2-215 et seq.) of Chapter 2 of this title.

D. The resumes and