Bill > HB1625

This bill eliminates the exemptions from Virginia's minimum wage requirements for farm laborers, farm employees, and temporary foreign workers. Specifically, the bill removes two existing exclusions from the definition of "employee" under Virginia's wage laws: (1) the exemption for persons employed as farm laborers or farm employees, and (2) the exemption for individuals employed as temporary foreign workers governed by specific federal regulations. By removing these exemptions, the bill ensures that farm workers and temporary foreign workers will now be entitled to receive at least the state's minimum wage, just like most other employees. The changes will apply to both the current version of the law and the version that will become effective on July 1, 2030, maintaining consistency in worker protections. This modification represents an expansion of wage protections to worker categories that were previously excluded from minimum wage requirements, potentially improving economic conditions for these workers.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1625