VirginiaElectric utilities; small portable solar generation devices, local regulation.
What it does
Electric utilities; small portable solar generation devices; local regulation; installation by tenants; consumer protection. Prevents a locality from prohibiting the use of a small portable solar generation device, as defined in the bill, on a residential structure, provided that certain requirements are met. The bill includes provisions related to the installation of small portable solar generation devices by tenants and prevents landlords from prohibiting such installation in certain circumstances.
More detail
Under the bill, small portable solar generation devices are excluded from the provisions of net metering programs applicable to eligible agricultural customer-generators, eligible customer-generators, or small agricultural generating facilities. The bill also permits any electric utility customer to own and operate a small portable solar generation device, provided that certain requirements are met. The bill prohibits an investor-owned utility, municipal utility, or electric cooperative from imposing interconnection requirements, charging any fee related to the device, or requiring that the customer obtain the utility's approval before installing or using the device. Under the bill, no electric utility, municipal utility, electric cooperative shall be liable for damage or injury caused by a small portable solar generation device. The bill directs the State Corporation Commission to develop and publish a notification form for a customer of an electric utility or cooperative to install a small portable solar generation device and directs the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to convene a work group to evaluate and develop recommendations regarding the safety standards and requirements applicable to small portable solar generation devices. Certain provisions of the bill become effective on January 1, 2027. This bill is identical to HB 395.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 11Governor's recommendation received by SenateLatest
- Apr 6Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB250)
- Mar 31Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026To Governor
- Mar 31Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026Minor
- Mar 31Signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 30Signed by PresidentMajor
- Mar 30Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB250ER)Major
- Mar 30EnrolledMinor
- Mar 24Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB250)
- Mar 12House substitute agreed to by Senate (29-Y 11-N 0-A)Major
- Vote recorded Concur House Substitute R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11Passed House with substitute (96-Y 0-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Mar 11committee substitute agreed toMajor
- Mar 11Read third timeMinor
- Mar 10Passed by for the day
- Mar 9Read second timeMinor
- Mar 5Committee substitute printed 26108925D-H1Major
- Vote recorded Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 5Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (20-Y 1-N)Minor
- Mar 3Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 1-N)Major
- Vote recorded Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3House subcommittee offered
- Feb 24Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3Minor
- Feb 19Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB250)
- Feb 18Referred to Committee on Labor and CommerceMinor
- Feb 18Read first timeMinor
- Feb 18Placed on Calendar
- Feb 13Read third time and passed Senate (30-Y 7-N 1-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 12Engrossed by Senate - floor substitute (Voice Vote)
- Feb 12Senator Surovell Substitute agreed to
- Feb 12Reading of substitute waived (Voice Vote)
- Feb 12Floor offered Senator Surovell Substitute
- Feb 12Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote)
- Feb 12Read second timeMinor
- Feb 12Floor substitute printed 26107821D-S2 (Surovell)
- Feb 12Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB250)
- Feb 11Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 11Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Feb 11Rules suspended
- Feb 10Committee substitute printed 26107516D-S1Major
- Feb 9Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (11-Y 1-N 2-A)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 9Senate committee offered
- Jan 19Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB250)
- Jan 12Referred to Committee on Commerce and LaborMinor
- Jan 12Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104605DIntroduced