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Virginia lawmakers ended their 60-day legislative session after passing 1,208 bills, advancing major changes to wages and workers’ rights while leaving the state’s next two-year budget unresolved.
Nearly 2,400 bills were introduced during the session. Another 692 measures failed, while 519 were deferred until the next session or combined with other legislation.
The session marked a significant political shift in Richmond, with Democrats controlling the House of Delegates, Senate and governor’s office.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger said lawmakers had approved legislation aimed at reducing costs for Virginia families while addressing challenges facing businesses and schools.
Spanberger must sign the measures before they can take effect. Her deadline is April 13, though she has already approved several significant pieces of legislation.
Among them are provisions allowing Virginians to vote in November on whether to add reproductive-rights protections to the state constitution.
“We have witnessed so much in this nation when it comes to restrictions on abortion,” Del. Charniele Herring said. “That’s why this constitutional amendment was introduced. This is serious, and it is going to the voters.”
Minimum wage and collective bargaining changes advance
Many of the bills now heading to Spanberger previously would have faced possible vetoes from former Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
One of the most prominent, HB1 and SB1, would raise Virginia’s minimum wage from its current $12.77 an hour to $15 by 2028. The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis estimates that approximately 421,000 workers would receive higher wages.
“Every Virginian who works full time deserves the financial stability to support their families, plan for the future, and continue building a life here in the Commonwealth,” Spanberger said, adding that she looks forward to signing the measure.
Lawmakers also passed HB1263 and SB378, which would repeal Virginia’s decades-old prohibition on collective bargaining for public employees. The new framework would allow nearly all state and local government workers to form unions and negotiate contracts covering pay and benefits.
Del. Kathy Tran said the legislation would cover teachers, firefighters, home-care workers and many other public employees, giving them a greater voice in their workplaces.
At Fairfax County Public Schools, the change would extend coverage to all 41,928 employees, up from approximately 28,850 covered by existing collective bargaining agreements. Employees previously excluded included temporary workers and confidential staff in departments such as human resources and legal services.
Other approved workplace measures include HB5 and SB199, requiring public and private employers to provide one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked. HB1207 and SB2 would establish a new state-run unemployment insurance program.
Lawmakers must return to settle budget dispute
Despite those legislative victories, lawmakers adjourned without completing Virginia’s 2026-2028 budget.
The House and Senate spending proposals remain about $1 billion apart. One major disagreement involves longstanding tax exemptions that allow data centers to avoid retail sales and use taxes on computer equipment.
Spanberger said she remains in contact with General Assembly leaders and plans to bring lawmakers back to Richmond on April 23 to negotiate and pass a final spending plan.