Governor Spanberger Signs Bills Into Law to Raise State Minimum Wage, Boost Workforce Training, & Support Economic Growth

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Abigail Spanberger today signed into law legislation to incrementally increase the state minimum wage to $15 per hour, secure stronger wages for Virginians who feed and fuel the Commonwealth, and connect more Virginians with career opportunities.

"Today, we are putting more money in the pockets of Virginia workers," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "If you work full time in Virginia, you should be able to afford to live in Virginia. You should be able to keep up with your rent or mortgage, fill your medications, and save for your kids' futures. I am signing legislation to support the men and women who power our economy, including so many of the people who keep our agriculture industry strong - and we were proud to work with the Virginia Farm Bureau to strike a balance to protect farm workers and our vital farming industry."

Spanberger continued, "Virginia's competitive advantage is our talent. Preparing Virginia's next generation to succeed not only helps young Virginians earn a good living, but it makes clear to businesses across the nation that they will thrive in our Commonwealth. Because investing in our workforce is a win for families, a win for local communities, and importantly, a win for the businesses that call Virginia home."

Governor Spanberger signed legislation to raise Virginia's minimum wage and put more money in workers' pockets:

• HB1 (Delegate Jeion Ward), SB1 (Senator L. Louise Lucas) - Incrementally increase the state minimum wage to $15 per hour by January 1, 2028.
• HB20 (Delegate Adele McClure), SB121 (Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy) - Paying Virginia's farm workers the state minimum wage.

Signed by the Governor, SB1 and HB1 codify the adjusted state hourly minimum wage of $12.77 per hour that went into effect on January 1, 2026. The legislation will then increase the minimum wage to $13.75 per hour on January 1, 2027, and subsequently increase the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2028.

Governor Spanberger also signed the following bills into law to connect more Virginians with career opportunities and invest in workforce development:

• HB67 (Delegate Michael Feggans), SB25 (Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy) - Bring new workers into Virginia's offshore wind industry. Passed with bipartisan support.
• HB275 (Delegate Sam Rasoul), SB10 (Senator David Suetterlein) - Allowing more high school students to start an apprenticeship in culinary arts or information technology. Passed with bipartisan support.
• HB413 (Delegate Elizabeth Guzman) - Strengthening the healthcare workforce by creating a new program to help high school students train and obtain certification as certified nurse aides. Passed unanimously.
• HB915 (Delegate Alfonso Lopez) - Allows localities to give federal workers who are furloughed or working without pay during a government shutdown an extension on personal property tax payment. Passed with bipartisan support.
• HB494 (Delegate Elizabeth Guzman) - Helping to connect federal employees who were fired as a result of DOGE cuts with job opportunities in state government.
• HB54 (Delegate Rip Sullivan), SB286 (Senator Lashrecse Aird) - Establishes a state internship coordinator to promote opportunities for students interested in public service. Passed with bipartisan support.
• HB772 (Delegate Virgil Thornton) - Gives local workforce development boards the flexibility they need to invest in their local workforces. Passed unanimously.

BACKGROUND

Last week, Governor Spanberger signed her first slate of legislation to make healthcare, housing, and energy more affordable, accessible, and reliable for Virginians. The Governor signed bills to crack down on rising prescription drug costs, increase the supply of available housing, and protect Virginia families and small businesses from increased energy costs.

Governor Spanberger has already signed bills that will support economic development projects across the Commonwealth - including the more than $500 million investment in Pittsylvania County the Governor announced in February, the second-largest economic development deal in Southern Virginia history. The investment by Avio USA Inc. - a leading global aerospace company - will establish an 860,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in the Southern Virginia Multimodal Park in the Town of Hurt.

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