New Delegate Pushes Workforce Development Legislation

Virgil Thornton's bill aims to give local boards more flexibility in allocating federal training funds.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Newly elected Delegate Virgil Thornton, D-Hampton, has sponsored legislation that would allow local workforce development boards more flexibility in how they allocate federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds. The current law requires at least 40% of the funds to go towards training programs, but Thornton's bill would allow boards to request waivers if there is insufficient demand or not enough trainers available.

Why it matters

The legislation is aimed at addressing workforce shortages in key industries like shipbuilding, where there is high demand for skilled labor but not enough qualified workers to fill open positions. Giving local boards more discretion over the federal funds could allow them to use the money for other workforce development initiatives like recruitment, career counseling, and childcare support.

The details

Thornton's bill, HB772, passed the House of Delegates unanimously and is now moving through the Senate. It would allow local workforce development boards to request waivers from the 40% training requirement in the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act if there is insufficient demand or a lack of available trainers. That money could then be used for other workforce development programs. Thornton noted that the legislation has no fiscal impact, which could be important in a tight budget year.

  • HB772 passed the House of Delegates unanimously.
  • HB772 is now moving through Senate committees.

The players

Virgil Thornton

A newly elected Democratic Delegate representing Virginia's 86th district, which encompasses parts of Hampton and York County as well as the city of Poquoson. Thornton sponsored the workforce development legislation as part of his campaign promise to expand the state's workforce.

Newport News Shipbuilding

A major shipbuilding company in Thornton's district that has more work than it has skilled workers to fill, according to the Delegate. Thornton believes the flexibility provided by his legislation could help the company by allowing workforce boards to use federal funds for training programs and recruitment.

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What they’re saying

“For instance, right there in my area, Newport News Shipbuilding where I went through an apprenticeship at, they have more work than they have workers for. They have enough work for now they say for the next 40 to 50 years, but they don't have enough skilled laborers. So basically, if some of those funds could be released to help provide trainers for them as far as welders, pipefitters, riggers, things like that, that would be great to be able to use some of that funding because it's still going toward workforce development.”

— Virgil Thornton, Delegate (dailypress.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to give local workforce boards more flexibility to address specific workforce development needs in their communities, such as the skilled labor shortage facing the shipbuilding industry in Thornton's district. By allowing waivers from the 40% training requirement, the funds could be used for a wider range of initiatives to recruit, train, and retain workers in high-demand fields.