VirginiaHB2422026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Public utilities; budget plan payment increases.

Sponsored By: Joshua G. Cole (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Public utilities; budget plan payment increases. Prohibits a public utility from, for any residential customer who is enrolled in a budget plan, increasing the amount of such customer's monthly payment more than once within any 12-month period or without notifying the customer in writing at least 60 days before such increase takes effect. The bill defines "budget plan" as a fixed billing option offered by a public utility to a customer whereby the total service for the succeeding 12-month period is estimated in advance and bills are rendered monthly on the basis of one-twelfth of the 12-month estimate. The provisions of the bill do not apply to any public utility engaged in the business of furnishing water or sewerage facilities.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Limits and 60-day notice for utility budget plans

Residential customers on a utility budget plan get steadier bills. A utility can raise your monthly budget‑plan payment only once in any 12 months. It also must send you written notice at least 60 days before the increase starts. A budget plan is a fixed monthly bill based on a 12‑month estimate.

Water and sewer budget plans excluded

These protections do not cover utilities that provide water or sewer service. Water and sewer providers are not bound by the one‑increase‑per‑year limit or the 60‑day written notice rule for budget‑plan payment increases.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joshua G. Cole

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 308 • No: 8

House vote 3/9/2026

Senate amendment agreed to by House

Yes: 93 • No: 4

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Commerce and Labor Amendment agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Passed Senate with amendment

Yes: 37 • No: 2

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor with amendment

Yes: 12 • No: 1

House vote 1/28/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 1/22/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s)

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 1/20/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 8 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0373)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 373 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact statement From DPB (3/25/2026 2:39 pm)

    3/25/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/25/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026

    3/25/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB242ER)

    3/14/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/14/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/14/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/14/2026House
  10. Senate amendment agreed to by House (93-Y 4-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026House
  11. Passed Senate with amendment (37-Y 2-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026Senate
  12. Commerce and Labor Amendment agreed to

    3/5/2026Senate
  13. Engrossed by Senate as amended

    3/5/2026Senate
  14. Read third time

    3/5/2026Senate
  15. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/4/2026Senate
  16. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  17. Rules suspended

    3/4/2026Senate
  18. Senate committee offered

    3/2/2026Senate
  19. Reported from Commerce and Labor with amendment (12-Y 1-N)

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

    1/29/2026Senate
  21. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    1/29/2026Senate
  22. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

    1/28/2026House
  23. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB242)

    1/27/2026House
  24. Engrossed by House as amended

    1/27/2026House
  25. committee amendments agreed to

    1/27/2026House

Bill Text

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