# Virginia HB2135: Unemployment compensation; allowance for dependents.

Virginia HB2135, Unemployment compensation; allowance for dependents., is a 2025 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Karen Keys-Gamarra (Democratic); status failed, last action 2025-02-04 (Left in Appropriations) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB2135-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB2135
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Unemployment compensation; allowance for dependents.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-01-07
- Last action: 2025-02-04, Left in Appropriations
- Sponsor: Karen Keys-Gamarra (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Appropriations
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 3 (23 yes, 15 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Unemployment compensation: allowance for dependents. Provides that, in addition to the weekly unemployment benefit amount determined by relevant law, an eligible claimant who is unemployed in any week shall be paid an allowance of $25 for each of up to three dependents of such claimant. The bill defines "dependent" as the child, adopted child, or stepchild of a claimant who, on January 1 of the benefit year, is wholly or partly supported by such claimant and younger than 16 years of age. The bill requires any claimant declaring one or more dependents to provide proof of such dependents in a form and manner prescribed by the Commission in conformance with certain conditions enumerated in the bill. This bill is a recommendation of the Commission on Unemployment Compensation.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Karen Keys-Gamarra (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-01-29 | House | Subcommittee recommends laying on the table | pass | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025-01-28 | House | Reported from Labor and Commerce and referred to Appropriations | pass | 12 | 10 |   |
| 2025-01-23 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting | pass | 5 | 3 | 1 |

## Actions (9)

- 2025-02-04: Left in Appropriations (House)
- 2025-01-29: Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (6-Y 2-N) (House)
- 2025-01-29: Assigned Approps sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources (House)
- 2025-01-28: Reported from Labor and Commerce and referred to Appropriations (12-Y 10-N) (House)
- 2025-01-27: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB2135) (House)
- 2025-01-23: Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 3-N) (House)
- 2025-01-16: Assigned L & C sub: Subcommittee #2 (House)
- 2025-01-07: Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce (House)
- 2025-01-07: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-13-2025 25103985D (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2025-01-07: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1015242.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1015241.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
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1015242.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1015241.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)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB2135-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).