HB 494

Virginia Personnel Act; hiring preference in state government; certain former federal employees. Establishes a hiring preference in state government for any person who has been terminated from a position of employment with the federal government on or after April 1, 2025, due to a reduction in the federal budget, initiatives put in place by the federal Department of Government Efficiency, or any other effort deemed unrelated to a violation in the workplace, workplace performance, or a dereliction of duty, provided that such person meets all of the knowledge, skill, and ability requirements for the available position. The bill defines the term 'preference' as requiring that a person who has been terminated from a position of employment with the federal government be hired over a person who has not been terminated from a position of employment with the federal government when the two individuals are substantially equal in qualifications for an eligible position. The bill sunsets on January 21, 2029.