VirginiaHB10732026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Advanced leak detection technologies; SCC shall establish standards for use by certain facilities.

Sponsored By: Sam Rasoul (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

State Corporation Commission; pipeline leak detection and repair standards. Directs the State Corporation Commission to promulgate regulations establishing standards for the use of pipeline leak detection technologies for intrastate natural gas distribution facilities operated by certain utilities, as informed by a federal rulemaking on gas pipeline safety. The provisions of the bill and any such regulations shall expire upon the effective date of any final rule under the federal rulemaking on gas pipeline safety.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Exemptions for small gas system operators

The Commission’s rules include explicit exemptions for small master meter operators, as the Commission defines. Liquefied petroleum gas systems, including propane, are also exempt if they are not otherwise treated as covered utilities. The Commission can add more exemptions, delay when rules apply, or allow alternate ways to comply for very small or impractical systems. These options lower compliance costs for small or unique systems.

New leak detection rules for utilities

The State Corporation Commission sets performance‑based rules for using advanced leak detection at intrastate natural gas distribution facilities run by covered utilities. Covered utilities are SCC‑regulated gas companies or operators that meet Chapter 26 rules and serve 25,000 or more gas services in Virginia. Advanced leak detection means using technology to better find active leaks that risk safety or the environment. The Commission must start the rulemaking within 12 months of this law’s effective date. The rules take effect on a schedule the Commission sets. These state rules end when a final federal PHMSA leak detection and repair rule takes effect (Docket No. PHMSA–2021–0039; RIN 2137–AF51).

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Sam Rasoul

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 237 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/9/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 2/3/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 1/29/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0446)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 446 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1073)

    4/6/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1073ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/10/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/9/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/9/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

    3/6/2026Senate
  16. Reported from Commerce and Labor and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)

    3/2/2026Senate
  17. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

    2/10/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/10/2026Senate
  19. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/9/2026House
  20. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    2/6/2026House
  21. committee substitute agreed to

    2/6/2026House
  22. Read second time

    2/6/2026House
  23. Read first time

    2/5/2026House
  24. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1073)

    2/4/2026House
  25. Committee substitute printed 26106544D-H1

    2/3/2026House

Bill Text

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