(SB1132)

GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto Senate Bill 1132, which prohibits employers from seeking the wage or salary history of prospective employees.

Wage discrimination is illegal. The proposed legislation represents government overreach, resulting in employers having incomplete information during the hiring process, and potentially exposing small businesses to lawsuits.

Employers often use candidates' salary history as a benchmark to ensure they offer competitive wages. Compensation decisions rely on various factors such as market value, funding constraints, and labor market competition.

The adverse effects of this proposal on are too high small businesses, prospective employees, and the job growth in the Commonwealth.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.