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HB1431 • 2026

Gift certificates; redeemable cash value.

<p class=ldtitle>A BILL to amend and reenact § 59.1-531 of the Code of Virginia, relating to gift certificates; redeemable cash value; Virginia Consumer Protection Act.</p>

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Griffin
Last action
2026-02-18
Official status
Failed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on penalties for non-compliance with the bill's requirements.

Gift Certificates Must Be Redeemable for Cash Value

This law requires merchants to allow gift certificates with a cash value of less than $10 to be redeemed by their holders for that exact amount.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires merchants to let people exchange gift certificates worth less than $10 for the same amount in cash.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Merchants who sell gift certificates in Virginia
  • People who receive and use gift certificates worth less than $10

Terms To Know

Virginia Consumer Protection Act
A law that protects consumers from unfair business practices.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify what happens if a merchant does not follow this rule.
  • Only applies to gift certificates with a cash value of less than $10.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-18 House

    Left in Labor and Commerce

  2. 2026-02-12 Subcommittee #2

    Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely (5-Y 2-N)

  3. 2026-01-28 Subcommittee #2

    Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #2

  4. 2026-01-22 House

    Presented and ordered printed 26102240D

  5. 2026-01-22 Labor and Commerce

    Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

Official Summary Text

Gift certificates; redeemable cash value; Virginia Consumer Protection Act.
Requires that any gift certificate with a cash value of less than $10 be redeemable by the holder of the certificate for its cash value from the issuing merchant. A violation of the provisions of the bill is a violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
A BILL to amend and reenact §
59.1-531
of the Code of Virginia, relating to gift certificates; redeemable cash value; Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §
59.1-531
of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§
59.1-531
. Required disclosures; certain fees prohibited; redeemable cash value.

A. Each gift certificate issued by a merchant in the Commonwealth that has an expiration date shall include either (i) a statement of the expiration date of the certificate or (ii) a telephone number or Internet address where the holder of the certificate may obtain information regarding the expiration date of the certificate.

B. Each gift certificate issued by a merchant in the Commonwealth that diminishes in value over time shall include a telephone number or Internet address where the holder of the certificate may obtain information regarding the diminution in the value of the certificate over time.

C. No gift certificate issued by a merchant in the Commonwealth shall impose a dormancy fee, an inactivity charge or fee, or a service fee, unless the gift certificate is distributed pursuant to an award, loyalty, or promotional program, and with respect to which there is no other money or value exchanged.

D.
Any gift certificate with a cash value of less than $10 shall be redeemable by the holder of the certificate for its cash value
from the issuing merchant
.

E.
The information required by subsections A and B shall be clearly and permanently imprinted on the certificate.