Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, chats with Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, as the Senate debate a bill that would gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 by Jan. 1, 2028 during a General Assembly Session on Monday, February 16, 2026 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
The minimum wage bill passed on party lines, with Democrats voting in favor.
State Sen. David Sutterlein (R–Roanoke) said the bill would create problems for some businesses in his district and could backfire.
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VPM News
Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, gives remarks during debate on SB121, which would remove the exemptions from Virginia's minimum wage requirements for certain temporary foreign and farm labors during a General Assembly Session on Monday, February 16, 2026 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
"The labor market, the competition there, is not simply against the folks next door or down the street or around the world, it's also against technology," he said. "every time we artificially increase the minimum wage through statute, it incentivizes further displacement of workers"
State Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-Prince William), who introduced the bill removing the exemptions that allowed farm laborers and some temporary foreign workers, spoke against an amendment to her bill that would make the minimum wage protections temporary. If passed the bill in its current form, it would go into effect in 2027 until 2030.
"We should be ensuring that every person – no matter your color, your creed, your religion, where you come from, who you love – no matter what, that you're able to work one job and put food on the table [and] that you're able to provide for your family," said Carroll Foy.
Companionlegislation on the three measures has passed out of the House of Delegates.
"I'm excited that I'm here this year to see this bill pass," Del. Jeion Ward (D-Hampton) told the press after the house bill passed the $15 minimum wage bill. Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin had vetoed the $15 minimum wage for the last two years. "We're going to make some changes for Virginians, and that's what's so important."
In order to become law, both chambers must agree on the final bills' texts and for them to be signed by the governor.
In a statement, Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she would sign the minimum wage legislation. "Virginians' wages have not kept up with rising costs," she said in the emailed statement. "I look forward to signing this legislation into law to give Virginia workers a pay raise."
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1 of 8 — Sen. Roem gives remarks on minumum wage
Sen. Danica Roem, D-Prince William, gives remarks during debate on SB1, which would gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 by Jan. 1, 2028 during a General Assembly Session on Monday, February 16, 2026 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
2 of 8 — Senators listen to floor debate
Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, chats with Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, as the Senate debate a bill that would gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 by Jan. 1, 2028 during a General Assembly Session on Monday, February 16, 2026 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
3 of 8 — Sen. Lucas gives remarks on the Senate floor
Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, gives remarks before passing SB1, which would gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 by Jan. 1, 2028 during a General Assembly Session on Monday, February 16, 2026 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
4 of 8 — Sen. Perry gives remarks
Sen. Russet Perry, D-Loudoun, gives remarks during debate on SB121, which would remove the exemptions from Virginia's minimum wage requirements for certain temporary foreign and farm labors during a General Assembly Session on Monday, February 16, 2026 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
5 of 8 — Sen. Graves sips coffee after voting
Sen. Angelia Williams Graves, D-Norfolk, sips coffee after casting her vote on on SB1, which would gradually increase the minimum wage to $15 by Jan. 1, 2028, along with Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, during a General Assembly Session on Monday, February 16, 2026 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
6 of 8 — Sen. Foy gives remarks on SB121
Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, gives remarks during debate on SB121, which would remove the exemptions from Virginia's minimum wage requirements for certain temporary foreign and farm labors during a General Assembly Session on Monday, February 16, 2026 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
7 of 8 — Sen. Head reads an orange paper
Sen. Chris Head, R-Botetourt, center, reads the floor amendments during debate on SB121, which would remove the exemptions from Virginia's minimum wage requirements for certain temporary foreign and farm labors during a General Assembly Session on Monday, February 16, 2026 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
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8 of 8 — Sen. Lucas listens as Sen. Foy gives remarks on SB121
Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, listens as Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Prince William, gives remarks during debate on SB121, which would remove the exemptions from Virginia's minimum wage requirements for certain temporary foreign and farm labors during a General Assembly Session on Monday, February 16, 2026 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Virginia.
