The Virginia General Assembly session ended on March 14, with small businesses seeing both successes and ongoing challenges, according to a statement from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).
The outcome of the session is important for many small business owners who are concerned about rising costs and new regulations. Decisions made by lawmakers can affect how these businesses operate and compete in the state.
NFIB reported that it helped stop several proposals seen as harmful to small businesses, including a plan to add a state sales tax to services. Small business owners said this tax would have increased costs for customers and created more paperwork. “Small business owners already face rising costs,” said NFIB State Director Julia Hammond. “Taxing services would have made it harder for them to compete.” Hammond also said lawmakers plan to revisit the issue in 2027.
Another area where NFIB members saw success was in protecting Virginia’s right-to-work law. Efforts to repeal this law did not move forward during the session, but Hammond said similar attempts could happen next year. “Virginia’s right-to-work law is a big reason why businesses choose to grow here,” she said. “Protecting it keeps Virginia competitive and protects a worker’s right to choose.”
Despite these victories, Hammond said there are still concerns ahead. The House and Senate passed different versions of a bill that would require all employers to provide paid leave for workers. Small business owners warn that such mandates could create financial strain, especially for those with only a few employees. “Small businesses want to take care of their teams, but government mandates like this create a real strain,” Hammond said. “Many owners can’t afford to pay a worker on leave while also paying a temporary replacement to keep the doors open.”
In response, NFIB launched a statewide radio and digital ad campaign urging state leaders to reconsider the paid leave mandate before it becomes law. “Our members believe benefits should be decided by employers and employees, not the government,” Hammond added.
Looking ahead, small business advocates say they will continue working with lawmakers as these issues return in future sessions.
