The Virginia General Assembly’s 2026 Regular Session is over halfway done. As we pass that midway point, known in the GA as “Crossover,” I’d like to update you on the progress of several of the bills that are most closely related to the hospitality and tourism industries. After Crossover, all bills that were introduced in the House can only be considered in the Senate and vice versa. That means that if a bill for any reason was not passed out of its respective Chamber, it is fully dead for the year.
As such, post-Crossover work is generally about fine-tuning legislation and addressing differences between similar bills from different houses (called cognates) that may have been created in the Committee process. VRLTA is hard at work in that vein, and as we get toward the final resolution of these bills, we will be advocating before the Governor’s policy team about suggested actions and amendments that she can take as part of her Constitutional role in the legislative process.
Generalized Business Mandates
Paid Sick Leave (HB5/SB199) – These bills are aimed at establishing a mandated minimum for employees to accrue paid sick leave at a rate tied to their general hours worked. That rate is at least one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours worked, and the leave can be taken not only for a personal illness, but also to care for a sick family member or to seek medical care or relocation in response to sexual or domestic violence or stalking. It does apply to part-timers, but it does not establish any requirement for an employer to pay out for any leave that is accrued but not subsequently used.
These bills are Caucus priorities in both Chambers, and have passed the General Assembly before only to be vetoed by then-Governor Glenn Youngkin. They continue through the process passing basically along party lines, and with some amendments, including one from VRLTA which would provide a right to cure for employers who find themselves in violation.
Paid Family Medical Leave (HB1207/SB2) – These bills will establish a state program to backstop a mandate upon employers to establish and administer a program for paid family and medical leave for employees. The bill allows employers whose programs already meet or exceed the provisions of the mandate to continue to use their own programs. The funding will include both employer and employee contributions to the program. The bill caps the leave at 12 weeks of leave. VRLTA has been opposing this bill as an onerous business mandate that will impact employers in our industries. It is, however, another Caucus priority for the majorities and is expected to pass and be signed by the Governor.
Employee Misclassification/Retaliation (SB644) – This bill significantly expands employer liability for wage-and-hour disputes by layering broad new civil remedies and retaliation provisions onto existing law, creating substantial legal risk and uncertainty for hospitality employers across the Commonwealth. VRLTA is in opposition to this bill and working an online grassroots outreach campaign that you can participate in here.
Expansion of RetirePath Mandate (SB149) – This bill will bring in all employers of five or more employees for the mandate that employers participate in some form of facilitated retirement plan for employees. Currently that mandate is set at twenty five employees. The bill will also fold in part-timers and minors to that mandate, and so if you are already participating in RetirePath or a similar private market program, you may want to check with your contact to make sure that you’ll be ready to be in compliance. This bill passed the Senate on a unanimous vote and will be heard soon in the House Appropriations Committee.
Predictive Scheduling (HB962) – This bill, which would have established a number of onerous mandates that are out of step with how our industries operate, has been stricken for the year and is dead. Though the patron has signaled that she will bring the bill back, we are grateful to our members and the broader business community in getting our message to the concerned legislators in opposition to this bill.
Hotel-focused Legislation
No-Locals Policies for Hotels (HB790) – This bill will prohibit hotels from turning away prospective guests based solely on their proximity to the hotel. VRLTA expressed concerns, however the bill does come from the response to hurricanes in Southwest Virginia earlier in 2025, as well as a constituent who was turned away under such a policy even though she was fleeing domestic violence. The bill has passed the House on a strong bipartisan vote, and we will be expressing those same concerns in the Senate when it comes up.
Surveillance Pricing (HB121) – This bill would have established prohibitions and regulations around companies using algorithmic or data-centered pricing techniques to charge different customers different rates for the same services or products. Though VRLTA worked with the patron on some helpful amendments, the bill was continued to 2027, and will likely come back in next year’s General Assembly Session.
Restaurant-focused Legislation
Sodium Menu Labeling (HB695) – This bill would have established an onerous warning label system to apply to all menus for restaurant operations of a certain size concerning sodium content of individual dishes. VRLTA was grateful to the House Committee that heard our concerns and ultimately voted this legislation down for the year.
Allergen Information (HB373/SB248) – These bills are re-introduced versions of bills that VRLTA worked on last year in the Senate of Virginia. It will direct the Virginia Department of Health to formulate a poster that will go over the procedures to carry out when a customer alerts the restaurant of a food allergy, and will require a small menu addition to the effect of “if you have a food allergy, please alert us to that.” VRLTA was neutral on this legislation pursuant to the amendments that shifted the mandate to VDH and made clear that restaurants are only obligated to make sure that the poster is posted conspicuously and include that appeal for customers conspicuously on their menus.
Allergen for Carryout (SB183) – This bill will require a very specific labeling system for carryout containers in cases where customers have identified a food allergy or sensitivity. While this will actually be a part of a regulatory process that VDH is already engaged in related to federal regulations, this bill is both too vague and too specific in what it asks for and VRLTA continues to stand in opposition. There will be multiple developments over the course of 2026 related to the federal regulations that are being implemented by VDH this year, and right now SB183 will be a part of, and somewhat lay on top of, that process. The bill passed the Senate on a broad bipartisan vote, and we are working to oppose it in the House of Delegates.
Tourism-focused Legislation
DMO TID Flexibility (SB314/HB524) – These bills, being carried through at the request of the Arlington County government will make it easier for certain types of Destination Marketing Organizations to interact with Tourism Improvement Districts where they’re established. VRLTA is working in support and happy to report that both versions have passed their respective bodies with small amendments.
Public Domain Names (HB707) – This bill will require all departments of government entities to operate off of “.gov” domain names and through similar email servers. VRLTA was grateful to work with the patron on some amendments that are going to carve out local Destination Marketing Organizations so that they can keep their unique identities as marketing entities rather than being lumped in with other non-consumer-facing departments of local governments.