# Virginia SB251: Electric utilities; performance-based regulatory framework.

Virginia SB251, Electric utilities; performance-based regulatory framework., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Scott A. Surovell (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-13 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0702)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB251-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB251
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Electric utilities; performance-based regulatory framework.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-12
- Last action: 2026-04-13, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0702)
- Sponsor: Scott A. Surovell (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 9 (180 yes, 70 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 6

## Summary

Electric utilities; performance-based regulation; work group; report. Directs the State Corporation Commission to independently consider whether elements of an effective performance-based regulatory framework to evaluate and potentially improve electric utility performance and cost control incentives in the Commonwealth are in the public interest and to develop related legislative recommendations. The bill requires the Commission to include its findings and recommendations in a report required by existing law by July 1, 2027. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation. This bill is identical to HB 903.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Public input and July 2027 report: benefit, low. By July 1, 2027, the Commission submits its findings to named committees and posts the report online. It must allow public comments and hold technical conferences. Investor-owned utilities must provide requested information. The Commission can hire experts and must include consumer advocates and th…
- Review all-source utility procurement: mixed, low. The Commission evaluates an all-source, competitive process for utility resource purchases. It also reviews other ways to improve utility solicitations. The review looks at cutting peak demand and lowering costs. Any procurement changes would come later.
- Review of rate riders and base rates: mixed, low. The Commission evaluates whether to combine current rate riders and move some costs into base rates. It weighs customer benefits and keeping bills transparent. It also reviews how moving costs might shift investment risk to customers. Any billing changes happen later through law or regulation.
- State review of utility performance rules: mixed, low. The State Corporation Commission reviews a performance-based regulation system for electric utilities. It considers current rules and a prior report. It identifies other parts of a possible framework and develops legislative recommendations. This study does not change your bill today. Any later cha…
- Study shared fuel cost risk: mixed, low. The Commission studies shared-risk policies for fuel costs at investor-owned utilities. It reviews how fuel price swings are shared between utilities and customers. When appropriate, it develops legislative recommendations. Any changes to bills come later.
- Study utility incentives and performance goals: mixed, low. The Commission reviews ways to improve utility incentives to meet state energy efficiency and renewable targets. It also evaluates performance incentive mechanisms tied to clear, achievable goals. Recommendations happen only if they are necessary and appropriate. Any effects on customer costs or se…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Scott A. Surovell (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-12 | Senate | House amendment agreed to by Senate | pass | 23 | 17 |   |
| 2026-03-11 | House | Passed House with amendment | pass | 62 | 33 |   |
| 2026-03-06 | House | Reported from Rules with amendment(s) | pass | 18 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) | pass | 5 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate | pass | 23 | 16 |   |
| 2026-02-12 | Senate | Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-11 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-11 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-09 | Senate | Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute | pass | 9 | 4 |   |

## Actions (36)

- 2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0702) (Governor)
- 2026-04-13: Approved by Governor-Chapter 702 (effective 7/1/2026) (Governor)
- 2026-04-06: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB251) (Senate)
- 2026-03-31: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-31: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-03-31: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-30: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB251ER) (Senate)
- 2026-03-30: Enrolled (Senate)
- 2026-03-30: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: House amendment agreed to by Senate (23-Y 17-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-11: Passed House with amendment (62-Y 33-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-11: Engrossed by House as amended (House)
- 2026-03-11: committee amendment agreed to (House)
- 2026-03-11: Read third time (House)
- 2026-03-11: Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar (House)
- 2026-03-10: Read second time (House)
- 2026-03-06: Reported from Rules with amendment(s) (18-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2026-03-02: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (5-Y 0-N) (House)
- 2026-03-01: Assigned HRUL sub: Studies Subcommittee (House)
- 2026-02-18: Referred to Committee on Rules (House)
- 2026-02-18: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-18: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-13: Read third time and passed Senate (23-Y 16-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB251) (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Committee substitute printed 26107513D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (9-Y 4-N) (Senate)
- 2026-02-03: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB251) (Senate)
- 2026-01-12: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor (Senate)
- 2026-01-12: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104615D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222271.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222270.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-30: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213368.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213367.PDF)
- Amendment, 2026-03-11: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1206493.HTML)
- Amendment, 2026-03-06: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1197612.HTML)
- Amendment, 2026-03-02: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1187438.HTML)
- Substitute, 2026-02-10: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1136030.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1136029.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-09: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135769.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135768.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086987.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086986.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/1222271.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1222270.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213368.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213367.PDF)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1206493.HTML)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1197612.HTML)
- [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1187438.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1136030.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1136029.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135769.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135768.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086987.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1086986.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)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB251-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).