VirginiaSmart Solar Permitting Platform; established, residential solar energy systems.
What it does
Smart Solar Permitting Platform established; residential solar energy systems; work group; report. Creates the Smart Solar Permitting Platform (the Platform) to serve as a tool for (i) contractors to obtain permits for the construction of streamline-eligible residential solar energy systems and (ii) localities to process applications for such permits. The bill requires the Department of Energy to establish, launch, and administer the Platform by July 1, 2027, as an internet-based platform that automates plan review and instantly releases a permit or a permit revision to construct certain residential solar energy systems that comply with any applicable building codes and state laws.
More detail
The bill requires localities to allow contractors to submit an application to construct a residential solar energy system through the Platform or through an alternative automated solar permitting platform by July 1, 2028. The bill requires any locality that chooses to use an alternative automated solar permitting platform to submit an annual report to the Department no later than March 1 of each year. The bill directs the Director of the Department to convene a work group to determine the appropriateness of adding a surcharge to local government permitting fees to defray state costs for the Platform and to report its findings to the General Assembly on or before November 1, 2026. This bill is identical to HB 590.
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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 13Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0634)Latest
- Apr 13Approved by Governor Abigail Spanberger-Chapter 634 (effective 7/1/2026)Became Law
- Apr 1Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB382)
- 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 (SB382ER)Major
- Mar 30EnrolledMinor
- Mar 20Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB382)
- Mar 14Conference report agreed to by House (64-Y 32-N 0-A)Minor
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 13Conference report agreed to by Senate (22-Y 17-N 0-A)Minor
- Vote recorded Adopt Conference Committee Report R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 13Conference Report released
- Mar 12House Conferees: Hernandez, Nivar, Runion
- Mar 12Conferees appointed by House
- Mar 10Senate Conferees: Surovell, Boysko, Peake
- Vote recorded Accede Conference Committee R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Conferees appointed by Senate
- Mar 10Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Mar 9House requested conference committeeMinor
- Mar 9House insisted on substituteMajor
- Mar 6House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)
- Vote recorded Concur House Substitute R. Result: fail.Upper
- Mar 6Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB382)
- Mar 4Passed House with substitute (73-Y 26-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Mar 4committee substitute agreed toMajor
- Mar 4Read third timeMinor
- Mar 3Read second timeMinor
- Feb 27Reported from Appropriations (18-Y 4-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Appropriations. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 27Committee substitute printed 26108751D-H1Major
- Feb 27Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural ResourcesMinor
- Feb 26Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute and referred to Appropriations (19-Y 2-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 19Referred to Committee on Labor and CommerceMinor
- Feb 19Read first timeMinor
- Feb 19Placed on Calendar
- Feb 18Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB382)
- Feb 16Read third time and passed Senate (22-Y 17-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 13Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)Major
- Feb 13Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)Major
- Feb 13Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote)
- Feb 13Read second timeMinor
- Feb 13Committee substitute printed 26107801D-S2Major
- Feb 12Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed R. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 12Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Feb 12Rules suspended
- Feb 11Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (11-Y 4-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 11Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB382)
- Feb 10Committee substitute printed 26107438D-S1Major
- Feb 9Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 9Senate committee offered
- Feb 9Fiscal Impact statement From CLG (2/9/2026 11:33 am)
- Feb 5Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB382)
- Jan 13Referred to Committee on Commerce and LaborMinor
- Jan 13Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104651DIntroduced