VirginiaSB6772026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Restaurants; exempts certain facilities or programs.

Sponsored By: Christopher T. Head (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Restaurants; certain facilities or programs; exemptions. Exempts certain facilities that provide custodial care to 12 or fewer adults or children in a home from regulations applicable to restaurants. This bill is identical to HB 840.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Easier food rules for community events

Nonprofits, churches, schools, and volunteer fire or EMS groups can hold one- or two-day food fundraisers without restaurant rules. Food can be made in members’ homes, the group’s kitchen, or bought or donated from a licensed restaurant. Licensed restaurants that donate or sell to these events do not need extra permits or permit fees. Church meals for members or invited guests, and concession stands run by recognized youth sports groups, are also exempt.

Employee-only plant cafeterias exempt

An industrial plant cafeteria that serves only employees is not treated as a restaurant under this law. Plant operators avoid restaurant permitting and related rules for these employee‑only cafeterias.

No certified manager for volunteer restaurants

The Board cannot require a certified food protection manager at restaurants run by nonprofit civic service groups, volunteer fire departments, or volunteer EMS agencies. These volunteer‑run operations are free from that hiring and training requirement.

Small lodging and care homes exempt

Boardinghouses that do not take transient guests are not treated as restaurants. Owner‑occupied bed‑and‑breakfasts that serve only transient guests, host no more than 18 guests in a day, and give the required notice that the kitchen is not restaurant‑licensed are exempt. Small in‑home care settings that provide custodial care to 12 or fewer people—like family day homes, certain assisted living or group homes, and recovery residences—are also exempt.

Simpler rules for small food retailers

Grocery stores and deli counters that sell only for take-out are not treated as restaurants. Makers or sellers of packaged or canned goods are also exempt. Convenience stores or gas stations that follow state retail food rules, have 15 or fewer seats, and are not part of a national or regional chain are exempt from restaurant rules. These stores still must collect any local meals tax.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Christopher T. Head

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 266 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

House amendment agreed to by Senate

Yes: 40 • No: 0

House vote 2/24/2026

Passed House with amendment Block Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 2/19/2026

Reported from Health and Human Services with amendment(s)

Yes: 21 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/10/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/9/2026

Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Reported from Education and Health

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/27/2026

Rereferred from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources to Education and Health

Yes: 13 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0232)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 232 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  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

    3/10/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB677)

    3/2/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB677ER)

    3/2/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    3/2/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    3/2/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/2/2026House
  10. House amendment agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/26/2026Senate
  11. Passed House with amendment Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/24/2026House
  12. Engrossed by House as amended

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

    2/24/2026House
  14. Read third time

    2/24/2026House
  15. Read second time

    2/23/2026House
  16. Reported from Health and Human Services with amendment(s) (21-Y 0-N)

    2/19/2026House
  17. Read first time

    2/13/2026House
  18. Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

    2/13/2026House
  19. Placed on Calendar

    2/13/2026House
  20. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/10/2026Senate
  21. Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/9/2026Senate
  22. Read second time

    2/9/2026Senate
  23. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/6/2026Senate
  24. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/6/2026Senate
  25. Passed by for the day

    2/6/2026Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation