# Virginia HB1263: Public employees; repeals existing prohibition on collective bargaining, etc.

Virginia HB1263, Public employees; repeals existing prohibition on collective bargaining, etc., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Kathy K.L. Tran (Democratic); status vetoed, last action 2026-05-14 (Vetoed by Governor) (as of 2026-10-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1263-2026
- As of: 2026-10-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB1263
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Public employees; repeals existing prohibition on collective bargaining, etc.
- Status: vetoed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-14
- Last action: 2026-05-14, Vetoed by Governor
- Sponsor: Kathy K.L. Tran (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 16 (323 yes, 251 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Collective bargaining by public employees; individual home care providers; Virginia Home Care Council established; Public Employee Relations Board established; exclusive bargaining representatives. Repeals the existing prohibition on collective bargaining by public employees. The bill creates the Public Employee Relations Board, which shall determine appropriate bargaining units and provide for certification and decertification elections for exclusive bargaining representatives of state employees and local government employees. The bill requires public employers and employee organizations that are exclusive bargaining representatives to meet at reasonable times to negotiate in good faith with respect to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. The bill establishes the Virginia Home Care Council within the Department of Medical Assistance Services to promote the stability of the individual provider workforce in the Commonwealth and tasks the Council with serving as the public employer of individual providers, as defined in the bill, for purposes of collective bargaining pursuant to the bill's provisions. The bill repeals a provision that declares that in any procedure providing for the designation, selection, or authorization of a labor organization to represent employees the right of an individual employee to vote by secret ballot is a fundamental right that shall be guaranteed from infringement. The bill directs the Department of Labor and Industry to promulgate any regulations necessary to effectuate the bill's provisions by July 1, 2028, and provides that upon the establishment of the Public Employee Relations Board, such regulations shall be transferred to the Board. The bill provides that until such regulations are adopted, no petitions or elections shall take place pursuant to the bill's provisions except pursuant to an ordinance or resolution adopted under current law. This bill is identical to SB 378.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Kathy K.L. Tran (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-14 | House | Conference report agreed to by House | pass | 62 | 34 |   |
| 2026-03-14 | Senate | Conference report agreed to by Senate | pass | 20 | 18 |   |
| 2026-03-14 | Senate | Senate acceded to request for second conference committee | pass | 21 | 18 |   |
| 2026-03-12 | Senate | Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-11 | House | Senate substitute rejected by House | fail | 0 | 99 |   |
| 2026-03-10 | Senate | Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-10 | Senate | Passed Senate with substitute | pass | 21 | 19 |   |
| 2026-03-09 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-09 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-06 | Senate | Reported from Finance and Appropriations | pass | 10 | 4 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | Senate | Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations | pass | 8 | 6 |   |
| 2026-02-17 | House | Read third time and passed House | pass | 61 | 35 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | House | Reported from Appropriations with substitute | pass | 15 | 7 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute | pass | 5 | 2 |   |
| 2026-02-10 | House | Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute and referred to Appropriations | pass | 15 | 7 |   |
| 2026-02-05 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations | pass | 5 | 2 |   |

## Actions (70)

- 2026-05-14: Vetoed by Governor (Governor)
- 2026-04-23: Passed by for the day (House)
- 2026-04-23: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-04-23: Communicated to Governor (House)
- 2026-04-22: Passed by for the day (House)
- 2026-04-13: Governor's recommendation received by House (Governor)
- 2026-04-01: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1263) (House)
- 2026-03-31: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-31: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026 (House)
- 2026-03-31: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-30: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1263ER) (House)
- 2026-03-30: Enrolled (House)
- 2026-03-30: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-24: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1263) (House)
- 2026-03-14: Conference report agreed to by Senate (20-Y 18-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-14: Conference report agreed to by House (62-Y 34-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-14: House Conferees: Tran, Ward, Wilt (House)
- 2026-03-14: Conferees appointed by House (House)
- 2026-03-14: Conference Report released
- 2026-03-14: Senate acceded to request for second conference committee (21-Y 18-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-14: Passed by temporarily (House)
- 2026-03-14: Passed by temporarily (House)
- 2026-03-14: Conference Report released
- 2026-03-14: Senate Conferees: Surovell, Boysko, Stuart (Senate)
- 2026-03-14: Second conferees appointed by Senate (Senate)
- 2026-03-14: House requested second conference committee (House)
- 2026-03-12: House Conferees: Tran, Ward, Wilt (House)
- 2026-03-12: Conferees appointed by House (House)
- 2026-03-12: House acceded to request (House)
- 2026-03-12: Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Conferees appointed by Senate (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Senate Conferees: Surovell, Boysko, Stuart (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Senate requested conference committee (Senate)
- 2026-03-11: Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 99-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-10: Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 19-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-10: Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to (Senate)
- 2026-03-10: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Senate)
- 2026-03-10: Read third time (Senate)
- 2026-03-09: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-03-09: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-09: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-03-06: Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 4-N) (Senate)
- 2026-03-03: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1263) (House)
- 2026-03-03: Committee substitute printed 26108997D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 6-N) (Senate)
- 2026-02-24: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1263) (House)
- 2026-02-18: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor (Senate)
- 2026-02-18: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (Senate)
- 2026-02-17: Read third time and passed House (61-Y 35-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-02-16: Engrossed by House - committee substitute (House)
- 2026-02-16: committee substitute agreed to (House)
- 2026-02-16: committee substitute rejected (House)
- 2026-02-16: Read second time (House)
- 2026-02-15: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-13: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (5-Y 2-N) (House)
- 2026-02-13: Committee substitute printed 26107649D-H2 (House)
- 2026-02-13: Fiscal Impact Review From JLARC (2/13/2026 12:54 pm) (House)
- 2026-02-13: Reported from Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 7-N) (House)
- 2026-02-13: Fiscal Impact Review From JLARC (2/13/2026 12:31 am) (House)
- 2026-02-12: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1263) (House)
- 2026-02-11: Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources (House)
- 2026-02-10: Committee substitute printed 26107216D-H1 (House)
- 2026-02-10: Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute and referred to Appropriations (15-Y 7-N) (House)
- 2026-02-05: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (5-Y 2-N) (House)
- 2026-02-05: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1263) (House)
- 2026-02-05: House subcommittee offered (House)
- 2026-02-03: Incorporates HB715 (Hope) (House)
- 2026-01-27: Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #2 (House)
- 2026-01-14: Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce (House)
- 2026-01-14: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105325D (House)

## Bill text

- Veto Explanation, 2026-05-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225649.HTML)
- Substitute, 2026-04-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219773.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219772.PDF)
- Gov Recommendation, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219525.HTML)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-30: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214350.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214349.PDF)
- Conference Report, 2026-03-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1211620.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1212409.HTML)
- Substitute, 2026-03-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1212405.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1211617.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1211616.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1212404.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-03-03: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1190092.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1190091.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148049.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148659.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148048.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148658.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-10: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138698.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138697.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-06: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1132182.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1132181.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-05: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1128667.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1128666.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1088266.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1088265.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Veto Explanation (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225649.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219773.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219772.PDF)
- [Gov Recommendation (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219525.HTML)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214350.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214349.PDF)
- [Conference Report (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1211620.HTML)
- [Conference Report (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1212409.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1212405.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1211617.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1211616.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1212404.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1190092.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1190091.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148049.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148659.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148048.PDF)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148658.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138698.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1138697.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1132182.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1132181.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1128667.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1128666.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1088266.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1088265.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1263-2026 (as of 2026-10-11).