VirginiaHB5082026 Regular SessionHouse

Small renewable energy projects; agrivoltaics definition.

Sponsored By: John Chilton McAuliff (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Small renewable energy projects; agrivoltaics definition. Provides a definition of "agrivoltaics" for the purposes of small renewable energy projects. This bill incorporates HB 899 and is identical to SB 340.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Rules for small renewable projects and agrivoltaics

The law defines agrivoltaics as farming and solar on the same land, designed to keep farm productivity first. It sets size limits for small projects: solar or wind up to 150 megawatts; hydro, wave, tide, or geothermal up to 100 megawatts; biomass, energy from waste, or municipal solid waste up to 20 megawatts; and energy storage up to 150 megawatts. Hybrid projects that mix these are allowed. Until June 30, 2026, these limits apply to the generation or storage facilities only. Beginning July 1, 2026, each small project also includes its dedicated interconnection parts: tie lines, collector lines, substations, switching stations, and similar parts needed to connect to the grid. The size limits do not change.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • John Chilton McAuliff

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 168 • No: 53

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 28 • No: 12

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 2/24/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

Yes: 10 • No: 4

House vote 2/11/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 66 • No: 30

House vote 2/5/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 7

House vote 2/3/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0156)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 156 (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 (HB508)

    3/6/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB508ER)

    3/6/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/6/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/6/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/6/2026House
  10. Passed Senate (28-Y 12-N 0-A)

    3/2/2026Senate
  11. Passed by for the day

    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 Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (10-Y 4-N)

    2/24/2026Senate
  17. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB508)

    2/23/2026House
  18. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

    2/12/2026Senate
  19. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/12/2026Senate
  20. Read third time and passed House (66-Y 30-N 0-A)

    2/11/2026House
  21. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    2/10/2026House
  22. committee substitute agreed to

    2/10/2026House
  23. Read second time

    2/10/2026House
  24. Read first time

    2/9/2026House
  25. Committee substitute printed 26107142D-H1

    2/6/2026House

Bill Text

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