By Phil Boykin, VBWA President & CEO

“It’s Beer Day!” one Virginia lawmaker shouted as he caught sight of a handful of the more than 50 Virginia beer wholesalers who came to Richmond this week for the VBWA’s annual Day on the Hill and Legislative Conference.

It was a busy week at the State Capitol as legislators rolled up their sleeves and plowed through hundreds of bills, and the presence of the wholesale tier added to the excitement.

Besides visiting with legislators, we heard from the likely Democratic candidate for Governor Abigail Spanberger and hosted dozens of legislators and executive branch officials at our annual “Burgers and Beers” reception. We thank the 50+ beer distributors who showed up to have their voices heard. Here, we’ve gathered a photo gallery of images from our time at the Capitol.

As always during the Session, we are meeting weekly with the VBWA Board of Directors to review bills to determine the VBWA’s positions. below the photo gallery, find highlights of those bills of interest introduced. Should you want more details, you can go directly to the bill summary, bill history and bill text by clicking the bill number.

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Photos: Day on the Hill 2025

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ABC Advertising

SB909 (Stanley): Alcohol/Nicotine Advertising at Motor Speedways

Sen. Bill Stanley (R-Franklin) wants to remove a long-standing prohibition of advertising alcohol and nicotine products at motor sports facilities.

• The latest: The bill was due to be heard this week (week of January 20) but was not, as all legislation with a fiscal impact is under review. Thank you to the local beer distributors who met with Sen. Stanley this week during Hill visits, answering his questions, and listening to his perspective for roughly 45 minutes.
• VBWA position: Opposed. We recognize this is a complicated issue, but we have concerns that the bill would increase marketing to underage consumers, as well as open the door to allowing for alcohol advertising that is currently prohibited in other sports and entertainment venues.

HB1981 (Helmer): Alcohol Sales Based Fundraisers

After running into issues with ABC for trying to tie beer sales to charitable donations for hurricane relief, the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild asked Del. Dan Helmer (D-Fairfax) to help them with a fix.

• The latest: We may see an ABC workgroup on the matter this summer, of which the VBWA will be part. The issue otherwise appears dead for the session.

ABC Enforcement

HB1925 (Ward) and SB1297 (Craig): Shoplifting Enforcement

After years of relying on local law enforcement to handle policing of shoplifting in their retail stores, ABC is getting pushback from local law enforcement who resent having to dedicate resources to an entity with its own law enforcement division. The bill patrons are Del. Jeion Ward (D-Hampton) and Sen. Christie New Craig (R-Chesapeake)

• The latest: ABC put a $6 million price tag on this bill, meaning it would need to go through a budget process to survive. As a result, the House bill was “stricken” at the request of the patron and the Senate bill was left in committee without action, with the consent of the patron.
• VBWA position: Monitoring, as it could impact the ability of ABC to enforce trade practice issues.

HB1946 (Hope): Policing Nicotine

Del. Patrick Hope (D-Arlington) has tried for years to give a government entity the ability to license and enforce state and federal laws related to underage sales of nicotine products. HB1946 is his latest attempt in that effort.

• The latest: The bill had a large fiscal impact, was stricken, and is done for the session.
• VBWA position: Monitoring. Del. Hope is putting nicotine enforcement under ABC without adequate funding, so it could impact trade practice enforcement.

ABC Tied House Issues

HB1703 (Bulova) & SB834 (Favola): Tied House Clarification

Both bills are identical and clarifying in nature. They were introduced to protect ABC’s long-standing interpretation of the law that prevents a retailer from carrying product from a manufacturer when there is common ownership. It is feared that the existing rules could be challenged in the courts; therefore, VBWA is getting in front of the issue to modernize the code to reflect current practice. The bills are carried by Del. David Bulova (D-Fairfax) and Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Arlington).

• The latest: There is no known opposition. Both bills have passed with unanimous support. The bills are headed to the other chamber, where the process will begin again.
• VBWA position: ABC is in favor of the legislation, with the VBWA and Virginia Wine Wholesalers Association strongly in support.

Bottle Bills/E.P.R./Litter Tax

HJ488 (Krizek): Litter Tax Modernization Study

With bottle bill and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation being pushed across the nation, we’ve been working with legislators on modernizing the state’s litter tax as a way to counter the proposals. We expected it to be an issue in the 2026 General Assembly, however, Del. Paul Krizek (D-Fairfax) decided to put in a study on the subject this year.

• VBWA position: Joining other industry groups such as the Virginia Bottlers Association, the VBWA Board voted to support the study.

Cannabis

HB2485 (Krizek) & SB970 (Rouse): Cannabis Retail Marketplace

There are multiple bills impacting how the Commonwealth will move forward with cannabis sales. However, the Krizek and Sen. Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach) “marketplace” bills are the most comprehensive to date and the most likely to get to the Governor. Both create a legal framework for a cannabis marketplace. Similar bills passed in the 2024 Session, but were promptly vetoed by Gov. Youngkin. We expect the same this year for any cannabis bills that hit the Governor’s desk.

• The latest: The Senate version passed and has been referred to Senate Finance, where staff will evaluate its fiscal impact. The House version is being heard. In his State of the Commonwealth Address at the start of session, the Governor restated that he would not support a retail market for cannabis.
• VBWA position: Monitoring.

Employment Issues

HB1980 (Martinez): Heat Related Illness

This legislation requires the Safety and Health Codes Board to adopt regulations establishing standards designed to protect employees from heat illness. The bill from Del. Fernando Martinez (D-Loudoun) authorizes a person aggrieved by a violation of its provisions or the regulations promulgated thereunder to seek to obtain injunctive relief, to recover statutory damages of $1,000, or both, in an action commenced within one year of the cause of action. This is not a new issue and being pushed at the federal level as well.

• The latest: The bill was heard and voted out ot subcommittee on a straight party vote and now heads to the full committee.
• VBWA position: Monitoring.

HB1766 (Martinez) & HB1767 (Martinez): Unemployment Benefits

Del. Martinez is proposing raising the maximum weekly benefit by $100 and increasing the length of payout to 26 weeks.

• The latest: Both bills were approved by the full committee and sent to House Appropriations to determine the fiscal impact to the state. All Republicans opposed HB1766, which increased the weekly benefit, however, Del. Terry Kilgore (R-Wise) joined the Democrats to vote for HB1767, which extends the length of payout.
• VBWA position: Monitoring for the potential impact on unemployment insurance rates.

HB2481 (Krizek), SB788 (Head), SB803 (McDougle), SB1112 (Williams-Graves) Workers’ Comp (Repetitive Motion)

Virginia is the last state in the nation to prohibit payout from its workers’ comp program for “repetitive motion” injuries. This is a top priority for labor advocates, so many business groups are pushing a modest proposal to counter their initiatives. The bill is backed by Del. Krizek, Sen. Christopher Head (R-Alleghany), Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Gloucester), and Sen. Angelia Williams-Graves (D-Norfolk).

• The latest: The House version of the bill is still awaiting action, however, the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee voted along party lines to defeat the Head and McDougle bills, then sent the Williams-Graves version to Finance to determine the fiscal impact to the state.
• VBWA position: Monitoring.

Taxes

HB1755 (Watts): Taxing Services

Del. Vivian Watts (D-Fairfax) is attempting to modernize the Virginia tax code and capture the service industry.

• VBWA position: Opposed. As drafted, her bill will apply a sales tax on all products delivered to beer wholesalers’ retail accounts. We do not believe that this is the intention of the patron, and are discussing with her.

SB970 (Rouse): Second Chances

Sen. Rouse, who is also running for lieutenant governor, is proposing a tax credit for any employer that hires someone previously convicted of a crime and re-entering society.

• The latest: The VBWA voted to support the proposal.
• VBWA position: Support.