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Bill

HB 796

Regulatory boards; adjustment of fees, recovery of disciplinary and monitoring costs, report.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cliff Hayes

Virginia allows regulatory boards to raise licensing fees and charge licensees for disciplinary and monitoring costs to cover operational expenses.

Governor's recommendation received by House
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Bill Summary · HB 796

Legislative bill overview

HB 796 authorizes Virginia's regulatory boards to adjust their licensing and regulatory fees and to recover costs associated with disciplinary actions and ongoing monitoring of licensees. The bill allows boards greater flexibility in setting fees to match their operational expenses rather than being locked into fixed fee schedules.

Why is this important

Regulatory boards fund their operations through licensee fees, and inflation and increased enforcement costs can create budget shortfalls that limit their ability to investigate complaints and protect the public. This bill addresses that funding gap by allowing boards to adjust fees more readily, though it potentially increases costs for professionals seeking licenses and renewals in Virginia.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost burden on licensees: Professionals in regulated industries (contractors, health care providers, etc.) may face higher fees, which could be passed to consumers or create barriers for new practitioners entering the field
  • Lack of statutory caps: Without explicit fee limitations in statute, boards have significant discretion to raise fees, raising concerns about unchecked cost increases and insufficient oversight
  • Recovery of disciplinary costs: Charging licensees extra fees to cover the cost of disciplining other licensees is controversial—critics argue it's double-charging the profession, while supporters say violators should bear enforcement costs

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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