# Virginia SB798: Retail franchise agreements; governing law, competition restrictions.

Virginia SB798, Retail franchise agreements; governing law, competition restrictions., is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Christopher T. Head (Republican); status failed, last action 2025-02-18 (Left in Labor and Commerce) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB798-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB798
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Retail franchise agreements; governing law, competition restrictions.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2024-12-28
- Last action: 2025-02-18, Left in Labor and Commerce
- Sponsor: Christopher T. Head (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Labor and Commerce
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 4 (97 yes, 2 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Retail franchise agreements; governing law; competition restrictions. Provides that retail franchise agreements shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth and prohibits any person from offering or entering into a franchise agreement that includes competition restrictions that extend beyond termination or expiration of the franchise agreement unless such settlement is approved by a court of competent jurisdiction.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Christopher T. Head (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-02-11 | House | Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely | pass | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025-01-17 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2025-01-15 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 38 | 0 |   |
| 2025-01-13 | Senate | Reported from Commerce and Labor | pass | 13 | 0 | 2 |

## Actions (15)

- 2025-02-18: Left in Labor and Commerce (House)
- 2025-02-11: Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely (6-Y 2-N) (House)
- 2025-02-04: Read first time (House)
- 2025-02-04: Assigned L & C sub: Subcommittee #2 (House)
- 2025-02-04: Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce (House)
- 2025-02-04: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2025-01-17: Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2025-01-16: Read second time and engrossed (Senate)
- 2025-01-15: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (38-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2025-01-15: Passed by for the day (Senate)
- 2025-01-15: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2025-01-14: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB798) (Senate)
- 2025-01-13: Reported from Commerce and Labor (13-Y 0-N 2-A) (Senate)
- 2024-12-28: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor (Senate)
- 2024-12-28: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25101940D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2024-12-28: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1011899.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1011898.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/1011899.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1011898.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)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB798-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).