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SB578 • 2026

Auctioneers; definition.

<p class=ldtitle>A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-600 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; auctioneers; definition.</p>

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Reeves
Last action
2026-02-11
Official status
Continued
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary text does not provide specific details about enforcement or penalties, only the definition update.

Auction Rules Update

This bill updates the definition of 'auction' in Virginia to include both in-person and online sales.

What This Bill Does

  • Updates the definition of 'auction' to include both in-person and online sales.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Auctioneers in Virginia

Terms To Know

Absolute auction
An auction where, at the time of the sale, real or personal property will pass to the highest bidder regardless of the bid amount.
Auctioneer
Any person who conducts or offers to conduct an auction.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify new rules for conducting auctions.
  • Only updates definitions, not enforcement or penalties.
  • Applies to Virginia only.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-11 General Laws and Technology

    Continued to 2027 in General Laws and Technology (13-Y 0-N)

  2. 2026-02-06 Senate

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB578)

  3. 2026-01-14 Senate

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101074D

  4. 2026-01-14 General Laws and Technology

    Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

Official Summary Text

Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; auctioneers; definition.
Specifies that sales meeting the definition of "auction" include sales made both in person and online. The bill contains a technical amendment.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
A BILL to amend and reenact §
54.1-600
of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; auctioneers; definition.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §
54.1-600
of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§
54.1-600
. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Absolute auction" means an auction where
,
at the time of the auction sale
,
the real or personal property to be sold will pass to the highest bidder regardless of the amount of the highest and last bid.

"Auction" means the
in person or online
sale of goods or real estate by means of exchanges between an auctioneer and members of his audience, the exchanges consisting of a series of invitations for offers made by the auctioneer, offers made by members of the audience, and acceptance by the auctioneer of the highest or most favorable offer.

"Auctioneer" means any person who conducts or offers to conduct an auction
.

"Auction firm" means any corporation, partnership
,
or entity, except a sole proprietorship, performing any of the acts of an auctioneer
as defined in this section
.

"Auctioneer" means any person who conducts or offers to conduct an auction.

"Board" means the Auctioneers Board.

"Director" means the Director of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.

"Goods" means any chattels, merchandise, real or personal property, or commodities of any form or type which may be lawfully kept or offered for sale.

"Person" means any natural person, association, partnership, or corporation, and the officers, directors, and employees of a corporation.

"Virginia licensed auctioneer" means any auctioneer who meets the requirements for licensure as prescribed by the Board.