Overview
- Spanberger, who signed the bills Thursday, set Virginia on a path to a $15 hourly floor and completed a key plank of her affordability agenda.
- The law locks in today’s $12.77 rate, raises it to $13.75 on January 1, 2027 and to $15 on January 1, 2028, with automatic cost‑of‑living bumps tied to inflation beginning January 1, 2029.
- Farm workers will now earn at least the state minimum wage under HB20 and SB121, ending prior exemptions in agricultural pay.
- A companion package expands career pipelines through new or broadened apprenticeships, offshore wind hiring efforts, high school training for certified nurse aides, a statewide internship coordinator, and added flexibility for local workforce boards.
- Reaction broke along party lines as Democrats cheered a long‑awaited raise and Republicans, including former Gov. Glenn Youngkin, warned a single statewide floor could strain small businesses in lower‑wage regions and push some prices higher.