Virginia House Labor and Commerce Committee advances unemployment, workers' compensation and energy bills; several measures stricken or taken for the day

The Virginia House Committee on Labor and Commerce met in session and advanced a package of bills on unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, energy policy and utility reporting, while also striking several measures at patrons' requests and taking others "by for the day" for further consideration.

The committee approved two bills changing unemployment benefits. HB 1766 (Del. Martinez), which would raise eligible individuals' weekly unemployment benefit amounts by $100 for claims effective Jan. 1, 2026, passed on a roll call and was reported and referred to the Appropriations Committee by a vote of 11 to 8. HB 1767 (Del. Martinez), setting a 26‑week maximum duration for weekly unemployment compensation benefits beginning July 1, 2025 for claims effective on or after that date, passed and was referred to Appropriations by a vote of 12 to 7.

Law enforcement and firefighter benefits and workers' compensation presumptions were also advanced. HB 2060 (Del. Krysik) was reported out of committee and will be referred to Appropriations after a full‑committee vote of 18 to 1; the bill, as described in subcommittee, would increase maximum durations for payment of benefits for anxiety/depressive disorders and for post‑traumatic stress disorder for line‑of‑duty law enforcement…