Labor and Commerce Committee votes 15-7 to send HB 1 — phased raise to $15 minimum wage — to Appropriations

The House Labor and Commerce Committee voted 15-7 to report House Bill 1 to the Appropriations Committee after a day of testimony largely in support of the legislation to raise Virginia’s minimum wage to $15 per hour.

Chair Ward, who sponsored the bill, told the committee HB 1 builds on earlier incremental increases and would lift wages for an estimated 421,000 Virginia workers. She said the bill would set the wage at $13.75 as of Jan. 1, 2027 and $15.00 as of Jan. 1, 2028, arguing pandemic-era inflation has left wages “behind schedule.” Chair Ward cited demographic estimates, saying 63% of beneficiaries are women and 54% are people of color, and framed the proposal as a way to make life more affordable for families.

Supporters from labor, faith and advocacy groups urged the committee to advance the bill. Tom and Torcio of the Virginia Catholic Conference said HB 1 would move wages toward a living wage for families. Meg Gruber, a retired educator representing the Virginia Education Association, said support staff in some areas earn less than the current minimum and would benefit from an increase. Ashley C. Kenneth, identified as president and CEO of the Commonwealth Institute, said the bill would boost wages for over 421,000 Virginians. Ashley Crocker of Progress Virginia said $15 per hour is needed for basic affordability and argued raising the wage returns money to local businesses and grows the economy from the middle out. Jordan Roberts of Voices for Virginia’s Children cited research that dollar increases in the minimum wage reduce child neglect cases by 10% and urged passage to support family economic security.

Several unions and worker-advocacy groups also testified in support. Doris Grouse Mays, president of the Virginia AFL-CIO, said rising wages help all workers; Patrick Briggaman of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 666 and others urged members to support the measure. A Richmond resident, Jimmy Hart, urged passage in strong terms.

Committee members pressed the patron on business impacts and regional effects. Delegate Delia Williams asked how increases have affected affordability and whether impacts differ for small businesses; Chair Ward said research shows wage increases can benefit both workers and local businesses because wages are typically re-spent in the community. Delegate Kilgore warned that businesses near Virginia’s borders might relocate to neighboring lower-wage states and said some entry-level opportunities for youth could be lost. Delegate Welt urged caution, noting thin profit margins for many businesses and suggesting that higher labor costs can push prices up or prompt automation.

After discussion the committee moved to report the bill to Appropriations; a motion to report was made and seconded, and the clerk recorded a 15-7 vote in favor. The motion’s mover and seconder were not specified in the transcript. The committee did not record any public opposition during the hearing.

Next steps: HB 1 has been reported to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration.