A recently introduced bill by State Del. Betsy B. Carr would strengthen administration and oversight of Virginia’s College and Career Ready Virginia Program, the Virginia State House reports.
The measure, known as HB1039 and filed on Jan. 14, 2026, during the 2026 regular session, carries the title: “College and Career Ready Virginia Program; advisory committee and work group composition.”
Below is an overview based on the bill language and includes clarifications of its elements.
This legislation proposes changes and additions to how Virginia’s College and Career Ready Virginia Program is organized. It requires the Department of Education and the Virginia Community College System to operate the program via an advisory committee and a newly established work group for career and technical education, both including members from K-12 schools, higher education, the business sector, parents, a disability expert and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. The legislation also calls for uniform dual enrollment eligibility, expanded access for underrepresented students, enhanced support for enrolled students and educators, development of virtual opportunities, and collection and publication of financial and outcome data. Periodic reviews and the creation of recommendations to integrate career and technical education courses statewide are also mandated.
Rep. Betsy B. Carr (Democrat-78th District) is the sole sponsor of the measure.
Carr has filed 14 additional bills since the legislative session began.
She earned a BA from Hollins College in 1968.
Carr, a Democrat, won election to the Virginia State House in 2024 as representative of the 78th House district, following Jay Leftwich.
For legislation in Virginia, the process starts with the introduction of a bill in the House of Delegates or Senate, after which it is assigned to committees for possible changes and debate. Advances past committee send the bill to full chamber debates and votes in both houses. Approval by both results in the bill reaching the governor, who may sign it, veto it, or let it become law without signing. The Virginia General Assembly starts regular session every year on the second Monday of January, during which lawmakers introduce hundreds of bills, but not all are enacted into law.
| Patron(s) | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betsy B. Carr | HB1039 | 01/14/2026 | College and Career Ready Virginia Program; advisory committee and work group composition. |
| Betsy B. Carr | HB802 | 01/14/2026 | Vacant buildings; registration by registered agents, etc., annually. |
| Betsy B. Carr | HB803 | 01/14/2026 | Repairs or maintenance of property; entering adjoining property, petition for entry. |
| Betsy B. Carr and Eric Phillips | HB806 | 01/14/2026 | Industrial development authorities; promoting safe and affordable housing. |
| Betsy B. Carr | HB811 | 01/14/2026 | License plates, spec.; issuance to supporters of Richmond SPCA bearing legend SAVING LIVES TOGETHER. |
| Betsy B. Carr, Rodney T. Willett, and Holly M. Seibold | HB812 | 01/14/2026 | Traffic regulation; bicycles, and certain other devices, bicycle signals. |
| Betsy B. Carr and Rodney T. Willett | HB819 | 01/14/2026 | Pedestrians; walking on roadways that are part of divided highways. |
| Betsy B. Carr, Amy J. Laufer, Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker, Irene Shin, Jackie H. Glass, Kathy K.L. Tran, Michelle Lopes Maldonado, Nicole Cole, and Richard C. “Rip” Sullivan, Jr. | HB1037 | 01/14/2026 | Instructional materials on climate change & environtl. literacy; model pol. & proced. for selection. |
| Betsy B. Carr | HB1040 | 01/14/2026 | VCU Health System Authority; changes relating to board of directors and chief executive officer. |
| Betsy B. Carr, Jackie H. Glass, Marcia S. “Cia” Price, Marcus B. Simon, Rae Cousins, and Virgil Thornton | HB1041 | 01/14/2026 | DOC; powers and duties of Director, Virginia Prison Education Task Force established, report. |
| Betsy B. Carr and Virgil Thornton | HB1043 | 01/14/2026 | Affordable and Special Needs Housing program, etc.; applicant notification of awards and denials. |
| Betsy B. Carr | HB1044 | 01/14/2026 | Virginia Public Procurement Act; cooperative procurement, re-roofing. |
| Betsy B. Carr | HB1045 | 01/14/2026 | Va. Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority; annual mixed beverage performing arts facility license. |
| Betsy B. Carr and Stacey Annie Carroll | HB1046 | 01/14/2026 | Virginia Public Procurement Act; additional public works contract requirements. |
| Betsy B. Carr, Hyland F. “Buddy” Fowler, Jr., and Virgil Thornton | HB1047 | 01/14/2026 | Va. War Memorial Foundation; Commissioner of Dept. of Veterans Services shall provide supervision. |
Information in this article was compiled from the Virginia State House. Access the original data here.
