2026 SESSION

SENATE SUBSTITUTE

26105724D

SENATE BILL NO. 96

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations

on January 20, 2026)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Senator Roem)

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 13 of Chapter 3 of Title 58.1 a section numbered 58.1-439.12:13, relating to income tax credit; braille labeling program.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 13 of Chapter 3 of Title 58.1 a section numbered 58.1-439.12:13 as follows:

§ 58.1-439.12:13. Braille labeling tax credit.

A. For the purposes of this section:

"Braille labeling program" means a program voluntarily developed and implemented by a business that standardizes the affixation of braille labels on products, items, or packages that are sold in or shipped within the Commonwealth by such business.

"Braille labels" means labels using the raised characters of braille code on a product, item, or package so that a person with a visual impairment can read what that product or item is.

"Eligible braille labeling expenditures" means expenditures incurred in the development or implementation of a braille labeling program.

B. For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, but before January 1, 2031, any business shall be allowed a nonrefundable credit against the tax levied pursuant to § 58.1-320 or 58.1-400 for eligible braille labeling expenditures incurred in a taxable year. The business shall be allowed a credit in an amount equal to the lesser of the actual amount of eligible braille labeling expenditures incurred in the taxable year or $50,000.

C. The Tax Commissioner shall issue tax credits in an amount not to exceed $500,000 pursuant to this section in any taxable year. Credits shall be allocated by the Department on a first-come, first-served basis.

D. The amount of the credit claimed shall not exceed the total amount of tax imposed by this chapter upon the business for the taxable year. Any credit not usable for the taxable year in which the credit was first allowed shall not be carried over for credit against the income taxes of the business in any succeeding taxable year.

E. Credits granted to a partnership, limited liability company, or electing small business corporation (S corporation) shall be allocated to the individual partners, members, or shareholders, respectively, in proportion to their ownership or interest in such business entity.

F. The Tax Commissioner, in cooperation with the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, shall develop guidelines implementing the provisions of this section. Such guidelines shall be exempt from the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).