Solar energy facilities; prevailing wage & apprenticeship requirements, state & local tax exemption.
Sponsored By: Dan I. Helmer (Democratic)
In Committee
Summary
Solar energy facilities; prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements; state and local tax exemption; report; civil penalties. Requires each solar developer, including its contractors and subcontractors, to ensure payment at the prevailing wage rate set by the Department of Labor and Industry for any mechanic, laborer, or worker employed, retained, or otherwise hired to perform construction, maintenance, or repair work for certain electricity generating sources. The bill requires each solar developer to (i) ensure that a percentage of the total labor hours of such work is performed by qualified apprentices and (ii) employ at least one qualified apprentice if four or more individuals are employed to perform such work. Under the bill, a solar developer that fails to meet the requirements of its provisions is required to make penalty payments to the Commissioner of Labor and Industry. Additionally, the bill provides that any certified solar generation facility, as defined in the bill, is declared a separate class of property and shall be classified for local taxation separately from other classifications of real or personal property. Such facilities shall be wholly exempt from state and local taxation under the Constitution of Virginia.
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Bill Overview
No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Dan I. Helmer
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Continued from last session
7/21/2026HouseSubcommittee recommends continuing to 2028 (Voice Vote)
2/13/2026HouseContinued to 2027 in Appropriations (Voice Vote)
2/13/2026HouseFiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1372)
2/13/2026HouseCommittee substitute printed 26106899D-H1
2/13/2026HouseAssigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources
2/13/2026HouseHouse subcommittee offered
2/12/2026HouseSubcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (5-Y 2-N)
2/12/2026HouseReported from Labor and Commerce with substitute and referred to Appropriations (13-Y 7-N)
2/12/2026HouseAssigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #2
1/27/2026HouseReferred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
1/20/2026HousePresented and ordered printed 26104995D
1/20/2026House
Bill Text
Substitute
2/13/2026
Substitute
2/12/2026
Introduced
1/20/2026
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