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Bill

Bill

SB 96

Income tax, corporate and state; credit for braille labeling program.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lashrecse Aird and 38 co-sponsors

Virginia offers corporate income tax credits to incentivize voluntary braille product labeling, expanding accessibility for visually impaired consumers.

Referred to Committee on Finance
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 96

Legislative bill overview

SB 96 establishes a state income tax credit for corporations that participate in Virginia's braille labeling program, which helps make products accessible to visually impaired consumers. The credit incentivizes private businesses to voluntarily add braille labels to their merchandise and packaging. The bill has already passed the Virginia Senate unanimously and is now under review by the House Finance Committee.

Why is this important

This legislation addresses accessibility barriers for blind and low-vision Virginians by using tax incentives to encourage voluntary business participation rather than regulatory mandates. The approach balances disability rights with business flexibility, potentially expanding braille labeling availability across consumer products without imposing strict compliance requirements on companies.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost to state revenue: Tax credits directly reduce state income tax collections; the fiscal impact depends on participation rates and credit amount, which aren't detailed in the bill summary
  • Incentive effectiveness: Critics may question whether tax credits effectively drive meaningful braille labeling adoption or primarily benefit companies that would label products anyway
  • Equity concerns: The credit only benefits corporations with sufficient tax liability; smaller businesses or nonprofits may be unable to participate or benefit from the program

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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