As we near the end of the General Assembly’s 2026 legislative session, NVC has many advocacy wins to share.
As the General Assembly enters its final two weeks, NVC continues to secure advocacy wins for the region’s business community. These two weeks include long floor sessions as bills are subject to their final public debates before passing, failing, or going to conferences to work out differences between House and Senate versions.
Legislative Progress and Budget Negotiations
NVC has supported twenty-four bills that have passed at least one chamber. Simultaneously, nineteen bills opposed by the Chamber have either failed or been postponed until 2027. Government Relations Manager Charlie Russ stayed engaged in February with over fifty legislative touchpoints, specifically targeting key members of the Senate Commerce and Labor and Senate Finance and Appropriations committees.
Attention now shifts to the state budget as it heads to conference. Legislators must resolve major differences regarding revenue and expenditures before the final document reaches Governor Spanberger for her signature.
The Senate version of the budget unfairly targets two key industries that are critical to Northern Virginia’s economy: data centers and hospitality. The proposal would raise the transient occupancy tax (TOT) in Northern Virginia by 1% and eliminate the sales and use tax exemption on data centers. Neither of these measures is necessary to balance the budget, and we are asking legislators to support the House proposal, which does not contain either tax provision.
NVC Members: Check your inbox for an Action Alert as soon as conferees are named.
NVC members share their policy priorities with legislators during January’s Lobby Day program.
Coalitions and Targeted Amendments
NVC is leading a powerful coalition of Northern Virginia chambers, including those from Loudoun, Alexandria, Mount Vernon-Springfield, Greater Reston, and Falls Church. Together, these organizations are requesting critical amendments to proposed paid family and medical leave legislation. The coalition’s goals include:
- Increasing the employee threshold for participation from 10 to 100.
- Implementing a cap on payroll deductions.
- Prohibiting the stacking of state paid leave with federal FMLA leave.
Infrastructure and Economic Growth
In a major local development, the bill regarding a potential Fairfax County casino passed the House General Laws Committee. NVC spoke in favor of the bill to ensure the business community’s voice is heard in this long-standing debate. The legislation now moves to the Appropriations Committee, where it must pass if there is to be a final floor vote.
On the federal level, NVC joined a national coalition led by the U.S. Chamber to urge the Senate to pass bipartisan permitting reform. Current outdated systems delay vital investments in broadband, energy, and transportation infrastructure. Delivering a modern, efficient, and transparent process will reduce regulatory risks and shorten project timelines, directly supporting the growth objectives outlined in the NOVA Roadmap.
How to Stay in the Loop
Members interested in subscribing to NVC’s policy newsletter, The Bulletin, should email NVC’s Membership Team. To explore the foundation of the 2026 Legislative Agenda and all programming, visit the NOVA Roadmap site.
To participate in NVC’s exclusive, executive-only, 30-minute virtual Executive Member Forum (EMF) calls every Friday, email NVC’s Membership Team. Our weekly Richmond Recaps end after March 13, 2026.
