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Bill

SB 1

Minimum wage; increases incrementally to $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2028.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Creigh Deeds and 2 co-sponsors

Virginia minimum wage bill incrementally increases floor to $15/hour by 2028, affecting low-wage workers and business labor costs statewide.

Reported from Commerce and Labor and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (7-Y 6-N)
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Bill Summary · SB 1

Legislative bill overview

SB 1 would incrementally raise Virginia's minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2028. The bill has passed initial committee review in the Commerce and Labor Committee with a narrow 7-6 vote and is now under consideration by the Finance and Appropriations Committee, which will assess its fiscal impact.

Why is this important

Virginia's current minimum wage is $12.00 per hour (as of 2024), so this represents a $3.00 increase affecting hundreds of thousands of low-wage workers and potentially impacting labor costs for businesses statewide. The timeline and fiscal analysis will determine whether the increase is gradual enough to allow business adjustment or whether it strains state budgets and small employers.

Potential points of contention

  • Business cost impact: Small businesses and labor-intensive industries (retail, hospitality, agriculture) may face higher payroll costs, potentially leading to reduced hiring, reduced hours, or price increases passed to consumers
  • Regional economic variation: A uniform $15 minimum may be appropriate for Northern Virginia's higher cost of living but may disproportionately affect rural and less economically developed areas
  • Fiscal implications: The narrow committee vote (7-6) and multiple fiscal impact statements suggest concerns about state budget effects, including increased costs for state contractors and social services demand

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

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