VirginiaHB3172026 Regular SessionHouse

Damage or trespass to public services or utilities or critical infrastructure; penalties.

Sponsored By: Kimberly Pope Adams (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Damage or trespass to public services or utilities or critical infrastructure; penalties. Adds the intentional destruction of or damage to any fixture, equipment, or information technology system that is used to provide, process, transmit, or maintain public services, public utilities, cable television, broadband, or other critical infrastructure, as defined in relevant law, to the existing offense of damage or trespass to public services or utilities. The bill contains technical amendments. This bill incorporates HB 769 and is identical to SB 743.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Harsher penalties for utility damage

Intentionally damaging public utility systems is a Class 4 felony. If repairs cost under $1,000, it is a Class 3 misdemeanor. This covers oil, phone, electric, gas, sewer, wastewater, cable TV, broadband, water, and other critical infrastructure under state law. Intentionally damaging or trying to damage a site in a way that might release radioactive materials or ionizing radiation beyond normal areas is a Class 4 felony. If exposure injures someone, it is a Class 3 felony. If exposure causes a death, it is a Class 2 felony.

Security can hold trespassers at power sites

Utility security staff at marked electric generating sites can detain a trespasser for up to one hour. The property must have no trespassing signs. Detention only lasts while waiting for a law-enforcement officer to arrive.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kimberly Pope Adams

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 233 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/27/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/25/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations Block Vote

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 2/13/2026

Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote 2/11/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0105)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 105 (effective 7/1/2026)

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

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB317)

    3/5/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB317ER)

    3/4/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/4/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/4/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/4/2026House
  10. Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (3/2/2026 9:16 am)

    3/2/2026House
  11. Passed Senate Block Vote (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026Senate
  12. Read third time

    2/27/2026Senate
  13. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/26/2026Senate
  14. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/26/2026Senate
  15. Rules suspended

    2/26/2026Senate
  16. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

    2/25/2026Senate
  17. Reported from Courts of Justice and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations Block Vote (13-Y 0-N)

    2/23/2026Senate
  18. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

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

    2/18/2026Senate
  20. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  21. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    2/16/2026House
  22. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB317)

    2/16/2026House
  23. committee substitute agreed to

    2/16/2026House
  24. Read second time

    2/16/2026House
  25. Read first time

    2/15/2026House

Bill Text

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