# Virginia HB1979: Wage garnishment; recovery of certain improper payment, etc., state tax debt.

Virginia HB1979, Wage garnishment; recovery of certain improper payment, etc., state tax debt., is a 2025 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Phil M. Hernandez (Democratic); status failed, last action 2025-02-11 (Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations with letter (15-Y 0-N)) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1979-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB1979
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Wage garnishment; recovery of certain improper payment, etc., state tax debt.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-01-07
- Last action: 2025-02-11, Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations with letter (15-Y 0-N)
- Sponsor: Phil M. Hernandez (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Finance and Appropriations
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 4 (94 yes, 47 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Wage garnishment; state or local 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 or any local government shall not exceed 25 percent of such individual's disposable earnings for that week. The bill contains technical amendments and applies only to garnishments issued on and after January 1, 2026.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Phil M. Hernandez (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-02-11 | Senate | Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations with letter | pass | 15 | 0 |   |
| 2025-02-04 | House | Read third time and passed House | pass | 62 | 36 |   |
| 2025-01-29 | House | Reported from Finance with substitute | pass | 12 | 9 |   |
| 2025-01-28 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute | pass | 5 | 2 |   |

## Actions (16)

- 2025-02-11: Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations with letter (15-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2025-02-06: Impact statement from TAX (HB1979) (House)
- 2025-02-05: Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations (Senate)
- 2025-02-05: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (Senate)
- 2025-02-04: Read third time and passed House (62-Y 36-N) (House)
- 2025-02-03: Engrossed by House - committee substitute (House)
- 2025-02-03: Finance Substitute agreed to (House)
- 2025-02-03: Read second time (House)
- 2025-01-31: Read first time (House)
- 2025-01-29: Committee substitute printed 25106300D-H1 (House)
- 2025-01-29: Reported from Finance with substitute (12-Y 9-N) (House)
- 2025-01-28: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (5-Y 2-N) (House)
- 2025-01-27: Impact statement from TAX (HB1979) (House)
- 2025-01-25: Assigned Finance sub: Subcommittee #2 (House)
- 2025-01-07: Referred to Committee on Finance (House)
- 2025-01-07: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-13-2025 25104201D (House)

## Bill text

- Substitute, 2025-01-29: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1032170.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1032169.PDF)
- Introduced, 2025-01-07: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1014318.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1014317.PDF)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1032170.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1032169.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1014318.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1014317.PDF)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1979-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).