Virginia House advances wide-ranging package of bills; wages, victim support and energy measures among items passed

The Virginia House of Delegates on Jan. 29, 2025, passed a large number of bills across multiple subject areas, voting to advance measures on labor, victim services, energy and economic development to their next stages. Lawmakers completed a lengthy calendar that included both contested roll-call votes and unanimous or near-unanimous approvals of committee-recommended measures.

Why it matters: The votes move a mix of policy and funding bills toward final enactment or further consideration in the legislative process. Items approved on the House floor affect state labor policy, criminal-justice procedures, economic development incentives and energy siting rules, among other areas.

Highlights

- Minimum-wage reenactment and schedule: The House advanced House Bill 19 28, a measure described by the bill sponsor as continuing previously scheduled minimum-wage increases enacted in earlier sessions. The sponsor framed the measure as necessary to preserve planned future pay increases for low-wage workers.

- Mass violence care fund codified: House Bill 17 11, described by its sponsor as the vehicle to codify the Mass Violence Care Fund (initially funded by the 2023 budget), was engrossed and passed to third reading. Sponsors said the fund is intended to help victims and families with long-term costs arising from mass violence, including mental-health care and other long-term needs.

- Economic development and manufacturing grants: The House approved several measures to create…