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 SB 382.
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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 13Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0633)Latest
- Apr 13Approved by Governor Abigail Spanberger-Chapter 633 (effective 7/1/2026)Became Law
- Apr 1Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB590)
- 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 (HB590ER)Major
- Mar 30EnrolledMinor
- Mar 20Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB590)
- Mar 14Conference report agreed to by House (64-Y 33-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 12Senate Conferees: Surovell, Boysko, Peake
- Vote recorded Insist & Request R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12Conferees appointed by Senate
- Mar 12House Conferees: Hernandez, Nivar, Runion
- Mar 12Conferees appointed by House
- Mar 12House acceded to request
- Mar 12Senate requested conference committeeMinor
- Mar 12Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Major
- Mar 11Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 98-N 0-A)
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: fail.Lower
- Mar 10Passed Senate with substitute (23-Y 17-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Engrossed by Senate - committee substituteMajor
- Mar 10Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to
- Mar 10Read third timeMinor
- Mar 9Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Mar 9Rules suspended
- Mar 6Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB590)
- Vote recorded Reported from Finance and Appropriations. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 4-N)Minor
- Mar 3Committee substitute printed 26108986D-S1Major
- Mar 2Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 6-N)Minor
- Vote recorded Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 19Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB590)
- Feb 18Referred to Committee on Commerce and LaborMinor
- Feb 18Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 17Read third time and passed House (61-Y 34-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 16Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Feb 16committee substitute agreed toMajor
- Feb 16committee substitute rejected
- Feb 16Read second timeMinor
- Feb 13Read first timeMinor
- Feb 11Committee substitute printed 26107463D-H2Major
- Vote recorded Reported from Appropriations with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Reported from Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 7-N)Minor
- Feb 11House subcommittee offered
- Feb 11Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (5-Y 2-N)Major
- Feb 11Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB590)
- Feb 6Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB590)
- Feb 3Committee substitute printed 26106636D-H1Major
- Vote recorded Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural ResourcesMinor
- Feb 3Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute and referred to Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)Minor
- Jan 29Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (8-Y 1-N)Major
- Vote recorded Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 29House subcommittee offered
- Jan 20Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3Minor
- Jan 13Referred to Committee on Labor and CommerceMinor
- Jan 13Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102512DIntroduced