# Virginia HB395: Electric utilities; small portable solar generation devices, local regulation.

Virginia HB395, Electric utilities; small portable solar generation devices, local regulation., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Paul E. Krizek (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-22 (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (28-Y 11-N 0-A)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB395-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia HB395
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Electric utilities; small portable solar generation devices, local regulation.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-12
- Last action: 2026-04-22, Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (28-Y 11-N 0-A)
- Sponsor: Paul E. Krizek (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 13 (523 yes, 28 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 17

## Summary

Electric utilities; small portable solar generation devices; local regulation; installation by tenants; consumer protection. Prevents a locality from prohibiting the use of a small portable solar generation device, as defined in the bill, on a residential structure, provided that certain requirements are met. The bill includes provisions related to the installation of small portable solar generation devices by tenants and prevents landlords from prohibiting such installation in certain circumstances. Under the bill, small portable solar generation devices are excluded from the provisions of net metering programs applicable to eligible agricultural customer-generators, eligible customer-generators, or small agricultural generating facilities. The bill also permits any electric utility customer to own and operate a small portable solar generation device, provided that certain requirements are met. The bill prohibits an investor-owned utility, municipal utility, or electric cooperative from imposing interconnection requirements, charging any fee related to the device, or requiring that the customer obtain the utility's approval before installing or using the device. Under the bill, no electric utility, municipal utility, electric cooperative shall be liable for damage or injury caused by a small portable solar generation device. The bill directs the State Corporation Commission to develop and publish a notification form for a customer of an electric utility or cooperative to install a small portable solar generation device and directs the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to convene a work group to evaluate and develop recommendations regarding the safety standards and requirements applicable to small portable solar generation devices. Certain provisions of the bill become effective on January 1, 2027. This bill incorporates HB 289 and HB 928 and is identical to SB 250.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Qualifying farms can sell renewable power: benefit, medium. Beginning January 1, 2027, qualifying small agricultural generators can sell all output under an agreement paying at least the utility's approved avoided-cost rate for energy and capacity. Eligible agricultural businesses and businesses with specified manufacturer licenses must use an onsite renewa…
- Solar customers can earn battery payments: benefit, low. Eligible household and agricultural customer-generators can use onsite batteries for demand response, energy efficiency, or peak reduction. Payments must cover a distinct service not already paid through net-metering credits, another utility program, or another tariff. During net-metering proceedin…
- Solar customers can sell surplus power: benefit, low. Eligible customers whose generation exceeds use over a 12-month net-metering period can request a power purchase agreement in writing. Suppliers must offer the state-approved standard contract or tariff rate unless both sides agree to a higher rate. Standard agreements are first come, first served…
- Consumer protections cover portable solar purchases: benefit, low. Beginning January 1, 2027, Virginia's consumer-protection law treats qualifying portable solar devices as goods. Consumer transactions involving these devices receive the protections that apply to goods.
- Localities cannot ban qualifying portable solar: benefit, low. Virginia localities cannot ban qualifying small portable solar devices on residential structures. Devices must meet state standards and local height and setback rules. Local historic, architectural preservation, and corridor protection rules still apply.
- Farm solar accounts gain flexibility: benefit, low. Eligible agricultural customer-generators can combine electricity use and generation from multiple meters into one account under the appropriate rate plan. Meters must serve the same customer, sit at the same or adjacent sites, and use the same utility. Eligible agricultural generators connected in…
- Eligible localities can credit public power: benefit, low. A locality in Planning District Eight with more than 1 million residents can use this program if it is a nonjurisdictional Phase II utility customer. It can install or contract for locality-owned solar or wind facilities up to 5 megawatts on its own sites within the locality. Power credits can go t…
- Solar reviews must address customer costs: benefit, low. Whenever the Commission reviews net metering, it must study the program's costs and benefits. It must set a netting period and a method for valuing power under new tariffs using utility avoided costs. Reviews must consider long-term utility costs, other customers in the same rate class, Virginia's…
- Portable solar users face liability limits: cost, low. Beginning January 1, 2027, utilities are not liable for damage, injury, or service interruptions caused by portable solar devices. This covers investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, and electric cooperatives. Utilities and cooperatives can install an automatic locking disconnect when a prop…
- Some cooperative solar customers pay more: cost, low. Residential cooperative customer-generators with systems larger than 10 kilowatts must pay a monthly standby charge once the Commission approves it. The charge can cover only infrastructure costs properly tied to serving them, and payment starts on the approval order's date. Cooperative customers u…
- Cooperative customers face solar contract limits: mixed, low. After the Commission's rulemaking, third-party renewable power agreements in cooperative territories are generally limited to customers exempt from federal income tax. The limit covers cooperative retail and nonjurisdictional customers, with statutory exceptions. Cooperative boards can also allow t…
- Cooperative solar credits have size limits: mixed, low. The State Corporation Commission must establish cooperative net metering, starting on the later of July 1, 2019, or its regulations' effective date. Eligible renewable systems must be on the customer's premises, connect alongside utility service, mainly offset customer use, and exclude portable sol…
- Simpler rules for portable home solar: mixed, low. Beginning January 1, 2027, qualifying portable solar devices need no utility approval, interconnection process, or device fees. Movable devices must plug into an outlet behind the meter, mainly offset household use, and stay within 1,200 watts per customer or multifamily unit. They must meet curren…
- Solar connections bring deadlines and costs: mixed, low. Net-metered systems need notice and approval before installation, plus inspection, documentation, and two-way metering before connection. Systems must meet electrical-code, engineering, and accredited laboratory safety standards. Utilities have 30 days after notification to review residential syste…
- Renters gain solar rights with limits: mixed, low. Covered landlords cannot ban qualifying portable solar devices on the exterior of a tenant's premises. Coverage applies to landlords owning more than four rental units or holding more than a 10% interest in more than four units, directly or through a business. Tenants must give written notice, comp…
- Farm power sales bring shared costs: mixed, low. Beginning January 1, 2027, utilities must buy all output from qualifying small agricultural generators. Utilities recover distribution costs through proportional cost sharing or by metering capacity and energy placed on the system. Purchase costs go through an approved renewable-portfolio rate adju…
- Solar providers need registration and safeguards: mixed, low. Providers must register and follow consumer-protection and safety rules before offering third-party power agreements in cooperative territories. Each residential or nonresidential provider registration costs $250. Providers must certify business licensing, responsible officers, compliance commitmen…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Paul E. Krizek (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-04-22 | House | House concurred in Governor's recommendation Block Vote | pass | 99 | 0 |   |
| 2026-04-22 | Senate | Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation | pass | 28 | 11 |   |
| 2026-03-09 | House | Senate substitute agreed to by House | pass | 93 | 4 |   |
| 2026-03-05 | Senate | Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-05 | Senate | Senator Surovell Substitute agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-05 | Senate | Passed Senate with substitute | pass | 30 | 8 | 1 |
| 2026-03-04 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-04 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) | pass | 39 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | Senate | Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute | pass | 10 | 4 |   |
| 2026-02-04 | House | Passed House Block Vote | pass | 98 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-04 | House | Read third time and passed House Block Vote | pass | 97 | 1 |   |
| 2026-01-29 | House | Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute | pass | 22 | 0 |   |
| 2026-01-27 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute | pass | 7 | 0 |   |

## Actions (53)

- 2026-04-22: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (28-Y 11-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-04-22: House concurred in Governor's recommendation Block Vote (99-Y 0-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-04-22: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1052) (Governor)
- 2026-04-22: Reenrolled bill text (HB395ER2) (House)
- 2026-04-22: Approved by Governor - Chapter 1052 (effective - see bill) (Governor)
- 2026-04-22: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-04-22: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-04-22: Governor's recommendation adopted (Governor)
- 2026-04-11: Governor's recommendation received by House (Governor)
- 2026-03-25: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-25: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026 (House)
- 2026-03-23: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB395) (House)
- 2026-03-14: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB395ER) (House)
- 2026-03-14: Enrolled (Senate)
- 2026-03-14: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-14: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-09: Senate substitute agreed to by House (93-Y 4-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-05: Passed Senate with substitute (30-Y 8-N 1-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-05: Senator Surovell Substitute agreed to (Senate)
- 2026-03-05: Committee substitute rejected (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-03-05: Floor substitute printed 26109146D-S2 (Surovell) (Senate)
- 2026-03-05: Floor Offered (Senate)
- 2026-03-05: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB395) (House)
- 2026-03-05: Reading of substitute waived (Senate)
- 2026-03-05: Engrossed by Senate - floor substitute (Senate)
- 2026-03-05: Read third time (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-03-03: Committee substitute printed 26108918D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (10-Y 4-N) (Senate)
- 2026-02-23: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-05: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor (Senate)
- 2026-02-05: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (Senate)
- 2026-02-04: Passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-02-04: Reconsideration of passage agreed to by House (House)
- 2026-02-04: Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 1-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-02-03: Engrossed by House - committee substitute (House)
- 2026-02-03: committee substitute agreed to (House)
- 2026-02-03: Read second time (House)
- 2026-02-02: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-01: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB395) (House)
- 2026-01-29: Committee substitute printed 26106434D-H1 (House)
- 2026-01-29: Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (22-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2026-01-29: Incorporates HB928 (Lopez) (House)
- 2026-01-29: Incorporates HB289 (Anderson) (House)
- 2026-01-27: House subcommittee offered (House)
- 2026-01-27: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2026-01-19: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB395) (House)
- 2026-01-19: Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3 (House)
- 2026-01-12: Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce (House)
- 2026-01-12: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104795D (House)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-22: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225205.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225204.PDF)
- Reenrolled, 2026-04-22: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219910.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219909.PDF)
- Gov Recommendation, 2026-04-11: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219276.HTML)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209017.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209016.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-03-05: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1196232.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1196231.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-03-03: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1190088.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1190087.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-03-02: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1189091.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1189090.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-23: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1177337.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1177336.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-01-29: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1103530.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1103529.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-01-28: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098989.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098988.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-01-27: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098513.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098512.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084279.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084278.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225205.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225204.PDF)
- [Reenrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219910.HTML)
- [Reenrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219909.PDF)
- [Gov Recommendation (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219276.HTML)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209017.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209016.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1196232.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1196231.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1190088.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1190087.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1189091.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1189090.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1177337.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1177336.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1103530.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1103529.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098989.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098988.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098513.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098512.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084279.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1084278.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB395-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).