Rep. Phil Hernandez

Maddy summaryHJ 153 is a ceremonial resolution passed by both the House and Senate in February 2026 to honor the life of Sincere B. Allah. It does not create any new laws or affect policy, as it is a symbolic gesture without legislative substance. The resolution simply expresses recognition and tribute to the individual, with no concrete policy changes or affected parties. Such resolutions are common for commemorating individuals' contributions and are typically non-binding.

Maddy summaryHJ 131 is a ceremonial resolution commending the Honorable S. Bernard Goodwyn for his service. It does not create any new laws or affect policies, as it is a formal expression of recognition. The resolution passed unanimously in both the House (by voice vote) and Senate (by voice vote) in February 2026. This type of resolution honors individuals without implementing substantive changes.

Maddy summaryHJ 177 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late Honorable Barry D. Knight, a former state official. It has no policy provisions or direct impact on constituents, as it solely commemorates his life and service. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Senate on February 26, 2026, following standard procedural steps for commemorative measures. This type of resolution does not create law or affect any legal rights or obligations.

Wage garnishment; state tax debt. Provides that the maximum part of the aggregate disposable earnings of an individual for any workweek that is subject to garnishment to collect delinquent taxes and charges owed to the state government shall not exceed the lesser of (i) 25 percent of such individual's disposable earnings for that week or (ii) the amount by which such individual's disposable earnings exceed 40 times the federal or Virginia minimum wage, whichever is greater. The bill also directs the Department of Taxation to recognize Currently Not Collectible status granted by the Internal Revenue Service and to offer taxpayers with such status a similar Virginia status with comparable protections from collection activities. The bill contains technical amendments and has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.

Minimum wage; farm laborers or farm employees. Eliminates the exemption from Virginia's minimum wage requirements for persons employed as farm laborers or farm employees. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027, and is identical to SB 121.

Department of Energy; workforce development in offshore wind industry. Directs the Director of the Department of Energy to identify and develop training resources to advance workforce development in the offshore wind industry in the Commonwealth. This bill is identical to SB 25.

Minimum wage. Increases the minimum wage incrementally to $15.00 per hour by January 1, 2028. The bill codifies the adjusted state hourly minimum wage of $12.77 per hour that is effective January 1, 2026, and increases the minimum wage to $13.75 per hour effective January 1, 2027, and to $15.00 per hour effective January 1, 2028. Effective January 1, 2029, and annually thereafter, the bill requires the minimum wage to be adjusted to reflect increases in the consumer price index. This bill is identical to SB 1.

Department of Health; collection and annual publication of food insecurity information. Directs the Department of Health, as part of its participation in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, to collect information on food insecurity and publish such information on its website.

Employees of state government; personal interest in certain contracts prohibited; certain exception for certain employees of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind. Excludes from the prohibition against any officer or employee of any governmental agency of state government having a personal interest in a contract with the governmental agency of which he is an officer or employee, other than his own contract of employment, the personal interest of an employee of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind in a contract between the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind and a publisher or wholesaler of textbooks or other educational materials for students that accrues to him solely because he has authored or otherwise created such textbooks or materials. This bill is identical to SB 816.

Appointment of youth representative to local governing body. Allows a local governing body to appoint a youth representative to serve as a nonvoting member of the governing body.