# Virginia HB961: Income tax, state; Virginia local journalism sustainability credits.

Virginia HB961, Income tax, state; Virginia local journalism sustainability credits., is a 2025 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Alfonso H. Lopez (Democratic); status failed, last action 2024-11-18 (Left in Finance) (as of 2026-10-16).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB961-2025
- As of: 2026-10-16
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB961
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Income tax, state; Virginia local journalism sustainability credits.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2024-01-09
- Last action: 2024-11-18, Left in Finance
- Sponsor: Alfonso H. Lopez (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Finance
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (0 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Virginia local journalism sustainability tax credits. Creates a nonrefundable income tax credit for eligible local newspaper publishers, defined in the bill, for compensation paid to local news journalists. The credit is equal to (i) for the first taxable year in which the credit is claimed, the lesser of 10 percent of the actual amounts paid in wages to local news journalists during such taxable year or $5,000 and (ii) in subsequent taxable years, the lesser of five percent of the actual amounts paid in wages to local news journalists during such taxable year or $2,500. The credit includes an aggregate cap of $5 million per taxable year. The bill also creates a nonrefundable income tax credit for eligible small businesses with fewer than 50 employees for certain expenses incurred for local media advertising in a local newspaper or in a broadcast of a local radio or television station. The credit is equal to (i) for the first taxable year in which the credit is claimed, the lesser of 80 percent of the actual amounts paid or incurred for qualified local media advertising expenses or $4,000 and (ii) in subsequent taxable years, the lesser of 50 percent of the actual amounts paid or incurred for qualified local media advertising expenses during such taxable year or $2,000. The credit includes an aggregate cap of $10 million per taxable year. Each of the credits may be claimed in taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2024, but before January 1, 2029.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Alfonso H. Lopez (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2024-01-31 | House | Continued to 2025 with amendment(s) in Finance (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2024-01-29 | House | Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2025 with amendment(s) (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |

## Actions (7)

- 2024-11-18: Left in Finance (House)
- 2024-01-31: Continued to 2025 with amendment(s) in Finance (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2024-01-29: Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2025 with amendment(s) (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2024-01-28: Impact statement from TAX (HB961) (House)
- 2024-01-25: Assigned Finance sub: Subcommittee #1 (House)
- 2024-01-09: Referred to Committee on Finance (House)
- 2024-01-09: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24101547D (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2024-01-29: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB961)

## 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.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB961)

## 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)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB961-2025 (as of 2026-10-16).