Va. subcommittee advances bill to offer top contractor exams in additional languages

Delegate Thomas presented HB 165 to address language barriers that he said prevent some residents from passing technical contractor exams and launching their own businesses. The bill would permit the state to offer a subset of the most popular building-contractor exams in languages currently covered under thresholds tied to the Voting Rights Act, initially naming Spanish and Vietnamese as likely qualifiers.

The patron said the measure would be funded primarily by a $1to$3 increase in licensing test fees and noted the proposal cleared both chambers last session but was vetoed. He referenced an estimate that similar measures could redirect roughly $15 million into economic activity.

Representatives from the construction and business communities spoke in support. Brandon Robbins of the Associated General Contractors said the change would help attract more workers to the construction trades. Andrew Sinclair of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce framed the bill as aligned with workforce-development goals in Blueprint Virginia 2035.

There was no public opposition at the hearing. The subcommittee voted to report HB 165 to the full committee by a vote of 8 to 0. The measure will next be considered by the full committee.