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SB731Introduced in the Senate

Private companies providing public transportation services; employee protections.

Passed

Introduced by Saddam Salim, District 37

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.

Official description

Private companies providing public transportation services; employee protections; report. Requires the governing body of any county or city that contracts with a private company to provide transportation services to (i) require such company to provide any employee of such company providing such services compensation and benefits that are, at a minimum, equivalent to the compensation and benefits provided to a public employee, as defined in the bill, with a position requiring equivalent qualifications and years of service; (ii) provide transportation services through such company's own employees; and (iii) if such county or city subsequently elects to provide its own system of public transportation, adopt an ordinance or resolution providing for collective bargaining and ensure all employees of such private company are offered employment with such subsequent public transportation system without loss of compensation or benefits. The bill clarifies that the bill only applies to actions occurring on or after the effective date and excludes any action taken, contract signed, liability incurred, or right accrued prior to July 1, 2026, from the requirements. Finally, the bill directs the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation to convene a work group to develop recommendations on how to implement the provisions of the bill and requires the work group to report its findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the House Committee on Labor and Commerce and Senate Committee on Local Government by November 1, 2026. This bill is identical to HB 547.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1026)

April 22, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

4 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

6 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A) · April 22, 2026

21

Yes

18

No

1

Absent or Not Voting

40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker5Yes
Michael Jones77Yes
Timmy French1No
Mark Obenshain2No
Chris Head3Absent
David Suetterlein4No
Travis Hackworth5No
Todd Pillion6No
William Stanley7No
Mark Peake8No

Bill history

  1. Presented and ordered printed 26104515D

  2. Referred to Committee on Local Government

  3. Senate committee offered

  4. Reported from Local Government with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 7-N)

  5. Committee substitute printed 26107439D-S1

  6. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)

  7. Rules suspended

  8. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  9. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  10. Read second time

  11. Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)

  12. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)

  13. Read third time and passed Senate (20-Y 19-N 0-A)

  14. Placed on Calendar

  15. Read first time

  16. Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

  17. House committee offered

  18. House committee offered

  19. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute and referred to Appropriations (15-Y 6-N)

  20. Committee substitute printed 26108776D-H1

  21. Assigned HAPP sub: Transportation & Public Safety

  22. Reported from Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)

  23. Read second time

  24. Floor offered Delegate Helmer Amendments

  25. Read third time

  26. committee substitute agreed to

  27. Delegate Helmer Floor amendments agreed to

  28. Engrossed by House - committee substitute as amended

  29. Passed House with substitute with amendments (62-Y 35-N 0-A)

  30. Counties, Cities and Towns Substituteagreed to by Senate

  31. Enrolled

  32. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB731ER)

  33. Signed by President

  34. Signed by Speaker

  35. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  36. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  37. Governor's recommendation received by Senate

  38. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

  39. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 34-N 0-A)

  40. Governor's recommendation adopted

  41. Reenrolled

  42. Reenrolled bill text (SB731ER2)

  43. Signed by Speaker

  44. Signed by President

  45. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1026 (Effective - see bill)

  46. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1026)

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