Labor and Commerce

Tuesday, February 10, 2026·58m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Virginia House Labor and Commerce Committee advanced a sweeping set of labor, employment, and energy bills, including a collective bargaining expansion for public employees, a wage history prohibition with private right of action, and major energy storage and transmission infrastructure legislation. Several bills passed on contested 15-to-7 or similarly split votes, while two bills were carried over to the 2027 session.

Key Actions

·HB 1263 – Public Employee Collective Bargaining ExpansionNo Vote

+ 14 more actions

Notable Quotes

“A complaint alleging discrimination in employment in violation of the Virginia Human Rights act shall be filed no later than two years from the date upon which the alleged discriminatory practice occurred. Under current law. The filing requirement is no later than 300 days.”
Alfonso H. Lopez — Lopez was describing the core change in HB 925, which dramatically extends the statute of limitations for employment discrimination complaints under the Virginia Human Rights Act.

+ 2 more quotes

Votes

Report HB 636 with amendmentsPassed

Report HB 675 and refer to AppropriationsPassed

Report HB 925Passed

Report HB 930 with substitutePassed

Report HB 1263 with substitute and refer to AppropriationsNo Vote

Report HB 1319Passed

Report HB 672 with substitute and refer to AppropriationsPassed

Report HB 895 with substitute and refer to AppropriationsPassed

Report HB 1065 with substitutePassed

Report HB 1360 with substitutePassed

Report HB 1487 with substitutePassed

Report HB 1491 with substitutePassed

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TranscriptPreview

I don't want to do that. No, no, no. Yeah, that's right. Right. Good afternoon. We have not started yet. There is a five minute warning. Five minute warning. So take. We will now call to order the Committee on Labor and Commerce. Are we all seated? And the clerk shall open the roll so we can mark our attendance. Clerk should close the roll. We have a quorum. We will begin with subcommittee reports. Subcommittee two will start our reports. Chair Lopez, before we start, let me ask you quickly, did you allow testimony and comments during your subcommittee? Yes, ma'. Am. Significant testimony. Thank you so much. Then we will have no additional comments during your report. You may begin. Thank you, Madam Chair. That blue pass first bill is HB 275 from delegate Rasul regarding employment prohibition exceptions, apprenticeships, children 16 years of age or older. This bill permits a child 16 years of age or older to serve in an apprenticeship related program related to culinary arts or information technology, provided that the child is one. An apprentice registered pursuant to relevant law, two, employed in a work training program administered pursuant to relevant law, or…

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