VirginiaSB3102026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

State Corporation Commission; time frame for completion of certain proceedings.

Sponsored By: T. Travis Hackworth (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

State Corporation Commission; time frame for completion of certain proceedings. Requires the State Corporation Commission to complete proceedings involving an application for a certificate, permit, or approval required for the construction or operation by a public utility of certain transmission lines within nine months following such application, as required by current law for small renewable energy projects. The bill permits the Commission to enlarge such nine-month period for up to 120 days for applications regarding certain transmission lines. This bill is identical to HB 466.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

Rules for utility affiliates protect customers

The Commission sets codes of conduct for utilities and their affiliates when those affiliates provide or control power services. These rules prevent unfair behavior and protect competition and customers. Utilities may offer metering options to customers.

Faster review for small clean energy

The Commission finishes cases for small renewable energy projects within nine months after a complete application. For some facilities, it may add up to 120 days for review and public input. Small renewable projects are declared to be in the public interest. The Commission reads the law in favor of approving them.

Clearer rules for power plant approvals

The Commission allows a power plant only if it does not harm service reliability and is not against the public interest. For some utility-built plants filed after July 1, 2007, it must also be required by public convenience and necessity. If another agency already issued an environmental or similar permit, the Commission treats that as meeting those parts and does not add new conditions on the same issues. In areas that were rated serious ozone nonattainment on July 1, 2001, the Commission cannot make its approval depend on getting other environmental permits. Any certificate tied to an application filed before July 1, 2002 gets two extra years before it expires.

Local city utilities keep old rules

Municipal electric utilities and certain authorities that existed on July 1, 1999 are not under this chapter. They can choose to opt in. If they sell to retail customers outside the area they served in 1999, the chapter then applies. If a city opts in, the rules for incumbent utilities apply to it.

Special rate rules in five counties

Beginning July 1, 2003, most chapter rules do not apply to an investor-owned utility that serves only Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, and Wise Counties and no area with retail choice. The net metering rules still apply. During the suspension, the utility charges its capped rates for the capped-rate period. After that period, the Commission sets rates based on prudently incurred costs.

State oversight of your electric service

The State Corporation Commission regulates retail electric distribution across Virginia. It also oversees transmission, reliability, and maintenance unless federal law says otherwise. Incumbent utilities keep exclusive rights to serve their territories and must keep providing service there. Customers get state oversight and service standards, but retail competition stays limited.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • T. Travis Hackworth

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 223 • No: 24

House vote 3/3/2026

Passed House

Yes: 81 • No: 17

House vote 2/26/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce

Yes: 17 • No: 4

Senate vote 2/16/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 36 • No: 3

Senate vote 2/16/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/16/2026

Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/12/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0149)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 149 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB310)

    3/12/2026Senate
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

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

    3/10/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB310ER)

    3/9/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    3/9/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    3/9/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/9/2026House
  10. Passed House (81-Y 17-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026House
  11. Read third time

    3/3/2026House
  12. Read second time

    3/2/2026House
  13. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB310)

    2/26/2026Senate
  14. Reported from Labor and Commerce (17-Y 4-N)

    2/26/2026House
  15. Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

    2/19/2026House
  16. Read first time

    2/19/2026House
  17. Placed on Calendar

    2/19/2026House
  18. Read third time and passed Senate (36-Y 3-N 0-A)

    2/16/2026Senate
  19. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/16/2026Senate
  20. Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)

    2/16/2026Senate
  21. Rules suspended

    2/16/2026Senate
  22. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/16/2026Senate
  23. Read second time

    2/16/2026Senate
  24. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (35-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/13/2026Senate
  25. Committee substitute printed 26107831D-S1

    2/13/2026Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation