VirginiaProposed definition would count farm-based solar power as agriculture
If enacted, Virginia would treat solar electricity produced alongside genuine farming or poultry and animal production as part of an agricultural operation.
What it does
The proposed definition would include farm operations that produce solar electricity while continuing genuine crop, animal, or poultry production.
Argument forFarmers combining genuine agricultural production with solar power might receive the same treatment as other operations covered by this definition.
Argument againstLocalities may have fewer avenues to address nuisance complaints involving qualifying farms, because concurrent solar production would bring those operations under the agricultural definition.
More detail
Virginia would include producing electricity from solar panels in the definition of an agricultural operation. This applies to operations that produce crops, animals, or poultry while also producing solar electricity. The solar electricity must be produced alongside genuine production of crops, animals, or poultry. The text does not include solar operations that lack this ongoing agricultural production. The supplied text states no effective date or other implementation timing.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 21Continued from last sessionLatest
- Feb 11Continued to next session in Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (Voice Vote)
- Feb 4Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
- Jan 28Reconsidered by Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (Voice Vote)
- Jan 27Assigned HACNR sub: AgricultureMinor
- Jan 23Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1091)
- Jan 14Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural ResourcesMinor
- Jan 14Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104422DIntroduced
AgricultureEnvironment & EnergyHousing