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President Biden this weekend Tweeted his commitment to banning junk fees nationally as Virginia legislators consider Sen. Pekarsky’s state proposal RICHMOND, Va. —  As National Consumer Protection Week kicks off, Virginia legislators have an opportunity to pass Senator Stella Pekarsky’s (D-Fairfax) Senate Bill 388, landmark legislation to ban surprise junk fees across the entire economy, including on concert tickets, hotel […]

RICHMOND, Va. — In a 15-6 vote, members of the House Labor and Commerce Committee today voted to advance an amended and more narrow version of Sen. Stella Pekarsky’s (D-Fairfax) Senate Bill 388 to stop surprise junk fees in Virginia. Right now, Virginia consumers are often charged up to 20% more for a transaction at check-out than was initially

Bill Will Provide Up to Eight Weeks of Paid Time Off So That Virginians Can Care for Themselves or a Family Member  RICHMOND, Va. —  Today, for the first time ever, the House of Delegates passed a bill to establish a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program. Senator Jennifer Boysko’s (D-Fairfax) Senate Bill 373 passed on

Sen. Stella Pekarsky’s Bill Would Ban Deceptive Hidden “Junk” Fees on Concert Tickets, Rental Cars, Flights, Phone Upgrades, Meal Delivery Services, Hotel Reservations and More  RICHMOND, Va. — Tomorrow, lawmakers in the House Labor and Commerce Committee will meet 30 minutes after adjournment to consider Sen. Stella Pekarsky’s (D-Fairfax) Senate Bill 388 to ban all surprise junk fees

Bill to Create Prescription Drug Affordability Board Passed Both Chambers with Bipartisan Support RICHMOND, Va. — For the first time, both chambers in the Virginia General Assembly have passed legislation to establish a Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB), which will allow Virginia to set reasonable rates for certain high-cost, burdensome prescription drugs. Senator Creigh Deeds’ (D-Charlottesville)

Sen. Pekarksy’s Bill Would Require Fee Transparency for Concert Tickets, Cell Phone Upgrades, Rental Cars, Food Delivery and More RICHMOND, Va. — Freedom Virginia today commended the House Labor and Commerce Subcommittee #2 for advancing Senator Stella Pekarsky’s (D-Fairfax) SB 388 to ban all surprise junk fees in Virginia and require transparency of the full price of a

Bill Would Allow for Up to Eight Weeks of Paid Family & Medical Leave  RICHMOND, Va. — Legislation to expand access to Paid Family and Medical Leave passed the House Appropriations Committee yesterday on a 12 to 10 vote. Senate Bill 373, championed by Senator Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax) and Delegate Briana Sewell (D-Prince William), would create a Paid Family

RICHMOND, Va. —  Today, the Virginia Senate Finance and Appropriations and House Appropriations Committees each approved their respective budget proposals for the 2024-2026 biennium. Executive Director of Freedom Virginia Rhena Hicks released the following statement: “We are glad to see that Governor Youngkin’s backwards, regressive budget proposal on income and sales taxes is now off the table. Governor Youngkin’s budget would have increased taxes on

Senate and House Pass Bills to Create Prescription Drug Affordability Board, Increase Transparency for Pharmacy Benefit Managers RICHMOND, Va. —  Legislation to expand access to Paid Family and Medical Leave passed the Virginia Senate today on a 21 to 19 vote. Senate Bill 373, carried by Senator Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax), would create a Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) insurance