VirginiaHB6832026 Regular SessionHouse

Solar Interconnection Grant Program; established, report, sunset.

Sponsored By: Charniele L. Herring (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Solar Interconnection Grant Fund and Program established; report; sunset. Establishes the Solar Interconnection Grant Program for the purpose of awarding grants on a competitive basis to public bodies to offset costs associated with the interconnection of solar facilities to the grid. The Program is administered by the Division of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency of the Department of Energy. The bill requires that priority be given to solar facilities located on previously developed project sites and requires the Division to establish and publish guidelines and criteria for the awarding of grants and general requirements of the Program. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2027, and, as introduced, was a recommendation of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation. This bill is identical to SB 659.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Grants to connect public solar projects

The law creates competitive grants to help public bodies pay to connect solar to the grid. Localities, other political subdivisions, and school boards can apply. Projects must be on land the public body owns or leases, and can include storage or smart inverters. Projects on previously developed project sites get priority. The state energy division runs the program, sets guidelines, and reports each year by November 1. Funding depends on what the General Assembly appropriates. The program ends July 1, 2027.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Charniele L. Herring

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 277 • No: 49

House vote 3/6/2026

Senate substitute agreed to by House

Yes: 81 • No: 13

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Passed Senate with substitute

Yes: 26 • No: 14

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 9 • No: 5

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 10 • No: 4 • Other: 1

House vote 2/5/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 85 • No: 13

House vote 1/30/2026

Reported from Appropriations

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote 1/28/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 5 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0659)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 659 (effective 7/1/2026)

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

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB683)

    3/13/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB683ER)

    3/13/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/13/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/13/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/13/2026House
  10. Senate substitute agreed to by House (81-Y 13-N 0-A)

    3/6/2026House
  11. Passed Senate with substitute (26-Y 14-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  12. Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to

    3/4/2026Senate
  13. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    3/4/2026Senate
  14. Read third time

    3/4/2026Senate
  15. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/3/2026Senate
  16. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026Senate
  17. Rules suspended

    3/3/2026Senate
  18. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N)

    3/3/2026Senate
  19. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB683)

    2/26/2026House
  20. Committee substitute printed 26108397D-S1

    2/24/2026Senate
  21. Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 4-N 1-A)

    2/23/2026Senate
  22. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB683)

    2/8/2026House
  23. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

    2/6/2026Senate
  24. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/6/2026Senate
  25. Read third time and passed House (85-Y 13-N 0-A)

    2/5/2026House

Bill Text

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