VirginiaHB9752026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Alcoholic beverage control; food-to-beverage ratio, report.

Sponsored By: Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31 (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Alcoholic beverage control; food-to-beverage ratio; report. Reduces the current 45 percent food-to-beverage ratio for certain mixed beverage licensees. The bill requires that a mixed beverage restaurant, caterer's, or limited caterer's licensee meet or exceed the following: (i) for such licensees with monthly food sales averaging at least $48,000, the food-to-beverage ratio shall not apply; (ii) for such licensees with monthly food sales averaging at least $25,000 but less than $48,000, the food-to-beverage ratio shall meet or exceed 30 percent; and (iii) for such licensees with monthly food sales averaging at least $4,000, but less than $25,000, the food-to-beverage ratio shall meet or exceed 45 percent, except that for any licensee with monthly food sales averaging less than $25,000 with a seating capacity of less than 30 seats and an occupancy permit for less than 60 people total, the food-to-beverage ratio shall meet or exceed 30 percent. The bill also requires that restaurants have at least as many seats at tables as at counters. The bill requires the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to collect data regarding the compliance of mixed beverage licensees with the provisions of the bill and the impact of the change to the food-to-beverage ratio on the gross amount of food consumed on a licensee's premises. The bill requires the Authority to report such data to the Chairs of the House Committee on General Laws and the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services by November 1, 2027.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

45% food sales for mixed-beverage licenses

Mixed-beverage restaurants, caterers, and limited caterers must meet a 45% food sales rule. At least 45% of gross receipts must come from food cooked or prepared and nonalcoholic drinks sold and consumed on site, compared with total sales of mixed drinks and food. The rule applies after the license is issued. For caterers and limited caterers, the ratio is measured over a year. The Board can set rules and apply the ratio on an annual basis in places named in law, such as municipal golf courses.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 271 • No: 25

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 36 • No: 3

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 35 • No: 4

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/20/2026

Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services

Yes: 13 • No: 2

House vote 2/12/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 87 • No: 10

House vote 2/5/2026

Reported from General Laws with amendment(s)

Yes: 18 • No: 3

House vote 2/3/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 6 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0719)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 719 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB975)

    2/26/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB975ER)

    2/26/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    2/26/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    2/26/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    2/26/2026House
  10. Passed Senate (35-Y 4-N 0-A)

    2/24/2026Senate
  11. Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/24/2026Senate
  12. Passed Senate (36-Y 3-N 0-A)

    2/24/2026Senate
  13. Read third time

    2/24/2026Senate
  14. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/23/2026Senate
  15. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/23/2026Senate
  16. Rules suspended

    2/23/2026Senate
  17. Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services (13-Y 2-N)

    2/20/2026Senate
  18. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB975)

    2/13/2026House
  19. Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services

    2/13/2026Senate
  20. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/13/2026Senate
  21. Read third time and passed House (87-Y 10-N 0-A)

    2/12/2026House
  22. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB975)

    2/11/2026House
  23. Engrossed by House as amended

    2/11/2026House
  24. committee amendment agreed to

    2/11/2026House
  25. Read second time

    2/11/2026House

Bill Text

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