VirginiaElectric utilities; construction of new overhead transmission lines, siting requirements.
What it does
Electric utilities; construction of certain electrical transmission lines; siting requirements. Requires the State Corporation Commission, in order to approve the construction of an electrical transmission line of 138 kilovolts or more, to determine that the corridor or route chosen for the line will avoid or reasonably minimize adverse impact to the greatest extent reasonably practicable on dwelling houses. For overhead transmission lines of 500 kilovolts or more constructed by Dominion Energy Virginia, the bill directs the Commission to prioritize approving corridors or routes for construction for which the center is located farther than 150 feet from any dwelling house, public or private school building, day care, or place of worship unless no other practicable alternative exists.
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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
- Apr 13Approved by Governor Abigail Spanberger-Chapter 866 (effective 7/1/2026)Became Law
- Apr 6Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1491)
- 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 House and Senate (HB1491ER)Major
- Mar 30EnrolledMinor
- Mar 12Read third timeMinor
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12Passed Senate (39-Y 1-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Mar 11Passed by for the day
- Mar 11Read third timeMinor
- Mar 10Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Mar 10Rules suspended
- Mar 9Reported from Commerce and Labor (15-Y 0-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Commerce and Labor. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1491)
- Feb 17Referred to Committee on Commerce and LaborMinor
- Feb 17Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 16Read third time and passed House (62-Y 35-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 13Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Feb 13committee substitute agreed toMajor
- Feb 13Read second timeMinor
- Feb 12Read first timeMinor
- Feb 10Committee substitute printed 26107224D-H1Major
- Vote recorded Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (17-Y 5-N)Minor
- Feb 5Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 2-N)Major
- Vote recorded Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 5House subcommittee offered
- Jan 29Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1491)
- Jan 28Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3Minor
- Jan 23Referred to Committee on Labor and CommerceMinor
- Jan 23Presented and ordered printed 26104454DIntroduced