General Assembly 2026 Begins Today
Today at noon, the 2026 General Assembly will officially commence. The Virginia Retail Federation looks forward to working with you throughout this session. Beginning Monday, January 19, we will begin sending out the VRF Weekly Advocate, a comprehensive summary of the week’s most significant retail or business-related news and developments. We are committed to keeping you informed and engaged with the latest industry insights.
Priority Legislation To Watch in 2026:
Minimum Wage: Lawmakers have already filed bills raising the minimum wage incrementally to $15 by 2028. This would have direct implications for staffing, payroll planning, and overall labor costs.
Paid Leave Requirements: Several bills may propose statewide paid family and medical leave or require paid sick leave. These can introduce new costs and administrative requirements for employers.
Right-to-Work: A bill has been filed that would repeal the provisions of the Code of Virginia that, among other things, prohibit any agreement or combination between an employer and a labor union or labor organization.
Our team is already tracking bills on behalf of Virginia businesses. Members can access the full bill list here.
