HB1456 — Gov't efficiency; agency reporting requirement, etc., jt. subcom. on Gov't. Efficiency established.

Summary

Gov't efficiency; agency reporting requirement, etc., jt. subcom. on Gov't. Efficiency established.

Bill Text

Compared against the Code of Virginia as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 5 section(s) of the Code of Virginia: 2.2-1500, 2.2-1501, 2.2-1502, 2.2-1503, 2.2-1504.

• 2.2-1500

  This chapter may be cited as the "Virginia Government Efficiency and Accountability Act."

  Inserts “This chapter may be cited as the "Virginia Government Efficiency and Accountability Act."”.

• 2.2-1501

  As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

  Inserts “As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:”.

• 2.2-1501

  "Agency" means any agency, institution, board, bureau, commission, council, or instrumentality of state government in the executive branch.

  Inserts “"Agency" means any agency, institution, board, bureau, commission, council, or instrumentality of state government in the executive branch.”.

• 2.2-1501

  "Cost-saving measure" means any regulatory change, budgetary adjustment, policy modification, process improvement, or administrative action that would reduce expenditures, eliminate waste, improve efficiency, or deliver equivalent services at lower cost.

  Inserts “"Cost-saving measure" means any regulatory change, budgetary adjustment, policy modification, process improvement, or administrative action that would reduce expenditures, eliminate waste, improve efficiency, or deliver equivalent services at lower cost.”.

• 2.2-1501

  "Duplicative spending" means expenditures by two or more agencies for substantially similar purposes, functions, services, or systems where consolidation or coordination would reduce total costs without materially diminishing service quality.

  Inserts “"Duplicative spending" means expenditures by two or more agencies for substantially similar purposes, functions, services, or systems where consolidation or coordination would reduce total costs without materially diminishing service quality.”.

• 2.2-1501

  "Implementation report" means a report submitted in the standardized format prescribed by the Chief Data Officer pursuant to § 2.2-1540 of this chapter.

  Inserts “"Implementation report" means a report submitted in the standardized format prescribed by the Chief Data Officer pursuant to § 2.2-1540 of this chapter.”.

• 2.2-1501

  "Joint Subcommittee" means the Joint Subcommittee on Government Efficiency established pursuant to Article 10 of this chapter.

  Inserts “"Joint Subcommittee" means the Joint Subcommittee on Government Efficiency established pursuant to Article 10 of this chapter.”.

• 2.2-1501

  "Regulatory burden" means the direct and indirect costs imposed on businesses, individuals, localities, or other government entities by state regulations, including compliance costs, reporting requirements, permitting delays, and administrative overhead.

  Inserts “"Regulatory burden" means the direct and indirect costs imposed on businesses, individuals, localities, or other government entities by state regulations, including compliance costs, reporting requirements, permitting delays, and administrative overhead.”.

• 2.2-1502

  A. The General Assembly finds that:

  Inserts “A. The General Assembly finds that:”.

• 2.2-1502

  1. Virginia state government must operate with maximum efficiency and accountability to serve taxpayers and citizens effectively, recognizing that every dollar spent inefficiently is a dollar that cannot be returned to taxpayers or invested in essential services that produce measurable results;

  Inserts “1. Virginia state government must operate with maximum efficiency and accountability to serve taxpayers and citizens effectively, recognizing that every dollar spent inefficiently is a dollar that cannot be returned to taxpayers or invested in essential services that produce measurable results;”.

• 2.2-1502

  2. The Commonwealth has built strong fiscal reserves through prudent policy decisions and disciplined budgeting, and this favorable position must not be squandered through wasteful spending, virtue signaling, or programs that fail to deliver measurable returns on taxpayer investment;

  Inserts “2. The Commonwealth has built strong fiscal reserves through prudent policy decisions and disciplined budgeting, and this favorable position must not be squandered through wasteful spending, virtue signaling, or programs that fail to deliver measurable returns on taxpayer investment;”.

• 2.2-1502

  3. Governor Spanberger, in Executive Order Number One (2026), commendably directed executive branch agencies to identify cost reductions and eliminate waste, a fiscally responsible initiative that the General Assembly supports and seeks to codify in permanent statute to ensure continuity and accountability;

  Inserts “3. Governor Spanberger, in Executive Order Number One (2026), commendably directed executive branch agencies to identify cost reductions and eliminate waste, a fiscally responsible initiative that the General Assembly supports and seeks to codify in permanent statute to ensure continuity and accountability;”.

• 2.2-1502

  4. Government efficiency must focus on delivering real results for constituents—including job creation, economic opportunity, and reduced regulatory burdens—rather than wealth redistribution or subsidies that benefit some groups at the expense of others;

  Inserts “4. Government efficiency must focus on delivering real results for constituents—including job creation, economic opportunity, and reduced regulatory burdens—rather than wealth redistribution or subsidies that benefit some groups at the expense of others;”.

• 2.2-1502

  5. Executive orders, while valuable for establishing administrative priorities, lack the permanence of statutory enactment and may be modified or rescinded by subsequent administrations, necessitating legislative action to lock in fiscally conservative reforms;

  Inserts “5. Executive orders, while valuable for establishing administrative priorities, lack the permanence of statutory enactment and may be modified or rescinded by subsequent administrations, necessitating legislative action to lock in fiscally conservative reforms;”.

• 2.2-1502

  6. Federal fiscal uncertainty, including potential reductions in Medicaid, SNAP, and other federal funding streams, increases the urgency of identifying and eliminating waste in state government operations and preparing contingency plans that do not rely on tax increases;

  Inserts “6. Federal fiscal uncertainty, including potential reductions in Medicaid, SNAP, and other federal funding streams, increases the urgency of identifying and eliminating waste in state government operations and preparing contingency plans that do not rely on tax increases;”.

• 2.2-1502

  7. Taxpayer resources must be invested wisely, with a focus on return on investment that creates jobs, stimulates economic growth, and provides lasting benefits—not one-time handouts or programs that create dependency;

  Inserts “7. Taxpayer resources must be invested wisely, with a focus on return on investment that creates jobs, stimulates economic growth, and provides lasting benefits—not one-time handouts or programs that create dependency;”.

• 2.2-1502

  8. Innovation and technological advancement offer opportunities to drive down costs, and the Commonwealth should embrace modern solutions that deliver government services more efficiently; and

  Inserts “8. Innovation and technological advancement offer opportunities to drive down costs, and the Commonwealth should embrace modern solutions that deliver government services more efficiently; and”.

• 2.2-1502

  9. The General Assembly invites the Governor to join in this effort to implement fiscally conservative economic policies while the Commonwealth is in strong financial condition, transforming efficiency initiatives into permanent, measurable reforms that benefit all Virginians.

  Inserts “9. The General Assembly invites the Governor to join in this effort to implement fiscally conservative economic policies while the Commonwealth is in strong financial condition, transforming efficiency initiatives into permanent, measurable reforms that benefit all Virginians.”.

• 2.2-1502

  B. The purpose of this chapter is to:

  Inserts “B. The purpose of this chapter is to:”.

• 2.2-1502

  1. Establish permanent, statutory requirements for agency reporting on efficiency and cost-saving opportunities;

  Inserts “1. Establish permanent, statutory requirements for agency reporting on efficiency and cost-saving opportunities;”.

• 2.2-1502

  2. Create enforcement mechanisms, including budget linkage and regulatory sunset provisions, to ensure that identified efficiencies are implemented rather than ignored;

  Inserts “2. Create enforcement mechanisms, including budget linkage and regulatory sunset provisions, to ensure that identified efficiencies are implemented rather than ignored;”.

• 2.2-1502

  3. Establish the Joint Subcommittee on Government Efficiency to provide legislative oversight and hold agencies accountable for results;

  Inserts “3. Establish the Joint Subcommittee on Government Efficiency to provide legislative oversight and hold agencies accountable for results;”.

• 2.2-1502

  4. Mandate centralized data collection and public transparency so taxpayers can see where their money goes and what results it produces;

  Inserts “4. Mandate centralized data collection and public transparency so taxpayers can see where their money goes and what results it produces;”.

• 2.2-1502

  5. Codify and make permanent the efficiency initiatives established by Executive Orders Number One, Two, Three, Five, Six, and Nine (2026); and

  Inserts “5. Codify and make permanent the efficiency initiatives established by Executive Orders Number One, Two, Three, Five, Six, and Nine (2026); and”.

• 2.2-1502

  6. Position Virginia as a national leader in government efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and taxpayer accountability.

  Inserts “6. Position Virginia as a national leader in government efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and taxpayer accountability.”.

• 2.2-1503

  A. Within 90 days of the effective date of this chapter, and annually thereafter by October 1, each agency shall submit a cost reduction report to the Governor and to the Joint Subcommittee identifying cost-saving measures within the agency's jurisdiction.

  Inserts “A. Within 90 days of the effective date of this chapter, and annually thereafter by October 1, each agency shall submit a cost reduction report to the Governor and to the Joint Subcommittee identifying cost-saving measures within the agency's jurisdiction.”.

• 2.2-1503

  B. Reports shall be submitted concurrently to the Chief Data Officer in the standardized format prescribed pursuant to § 2.2-1540.

  Inserts “B. Reports shall be submitted concurrently to the Chief Data Officer in the standardized format prescribed pursuant to § 2.2-1540.”.

• 2.2-1503

  C. Reports submitted pursuant to this section shall satisfy any comparable reporting requirement established by executive order, provided that the executive order reporting deadline is not earlier than the deadline established by this section.

  Inserts “C. Reports submitted pursuant to this section shall satisfy any comparable reporting requirement established by executive order, provided that the executive order reporting deadline is not earlier than the deadline established by this section.”.

• 2.2-1504

  A. Each cost reduction report submitted pursuant to § 2.2-1503 shall include:

  Inserts “A. Each cost reduction report submitted pursuant to § 2.2-1503 shall include:”.

• 2.2-1504

  1. A description of each cost-saving measure identified, including whether the measure involves regulatory change, budgetary adjustment, policy modification, process improvement, or administrative action;

  Inserts “1. A description of each cost-saving measure identified, including whether the measure involves regulatory change, budgetary adjustment, policy modification, process improvement, or administrative action;”.

• 2.2-1504

  2. The projected annual savings from each identified measure, quantified in dollars where feasible, with a description of the methodology used to calculate projected savings;

  Inserts “2. The projected annual savings from each identified measure, quantified in dollars where feasible, with a description of the methodology used to calculate projected savings;”.

• 2.2-1504

  3. An implementation timeline for each identified measure, including any statutory, regulatory, or practical barriers to implementation;

  Inserts “3. An implementation timeline for each identified measure, including any statutory, regulatory, or practical barriers to implementation;”.

• 2.2-1504

  4. For measures requiring legislative action, specific recommendations for statutory changes;

  Inserts “4. For measures requiring legislative action, specific recommendations for statutory changes;”.

• 2.2-1504

  5. For measures requiring regulatory action, identification of the specific regulations affected and the proposed modifications;

  Inserts “5. For measures requiring regulatory action, identification of the specific regulations affected and the proposed modifications;”.

• 2.2-1504

  6. For measures that the agency has determined not to pursue, a statement of the reasons for that determination.

  Inserts “6. For measures that the agency has determined not to pursue, a statement of the reasons for that determination.”.

• 2.2-1504

  B. In identifying cost-saving measures, agencies shall specifically address, where relevant to the agency's mission:

  Inserts “B. In identifying cost-saving measures, agencies shall specifically address, where relevant to the agency's mission:”.

• 2.2-1504

  1. Opportunities to reduce housing costs for Virginians, as directed by Executive Order Number One (2026);

  Inserts “1. Opportunities to reduce housing costs for Virginians, as directed by Executive Order Number One (2026);”.

• 2.2-1504

  2. Opportunities to reduce healthcare costs for Virginians;

  Inserts “2. Opportunities to reduce healthcare costs for Virginians;”.

• 2.2-1504

  3. Opportunities to reduce energy costs;

  Inserts “3. Opportunities to reduce energy costs;”.

• 2.2-1504

  4. Opportunities to reduce education costs;

  Inserts “4. Opportunities to reduce education costs;”.

Action History

1. February 06, 2026

   H Continued to next session in Rules (Voice Vote)

2. February 05, 2026

   H Placed on Rules Agenda

3. February 02, 2026

   H Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)

4. January 31, 2026

   H Placed on Rules Agenda

5. January 30, 2026

   H Assigned HRUL sub: Studies Subcommittee

6. January 23, 2026

   H Referred to Committee on Rules

7. January 23, 2026

   H Presented and ordered printed 26106080D

Sponsors

• Wren M. Williams · Primary

Subjects