VirginiaSB52026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Income-Qualified Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Task Force; established, report.

Sponsored By: Mamie E. Locke (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Department of Housing and Community Development; Income-Qualified Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Task Force established; report. Directs the Department of Housing and Community Development to establish, in collaboration with the Department of Energy, and with assistance from the Department of Social Services, the Income-Qualified Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Task Force to determine barriers to access and enrollment in the current energy efficiency programs for income-qualified energy customers and to evaluate and develop a plan to address any necessary improvements regarding coordination among state and federal government agencies for utility services and resources to more effectively deliver energy-efficient housing, weatherization resources, and energy efficiency upgrades for income-qualified individuals and households in the Commonwealth. The bill requires the Task Force to meet at least six times between July 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027, and to submit a report of its findings and recommendations no later than September 30, 2027. The bill specifies that such report shall include policy recommendations and a plan to ensure that weatherization-ready repairs and whole-home energy efficiency retrofits are provided to all eligible income-qualified individuals and households in the Commonwealth residing in multifamily buildings, single-family dwellings, and manufactured homes by December 31, 2034. This bill is identical to HB 3.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Who qualifies for weatherization help

The law defines who counts as income‑qualified for weatherization help. You qualify if your household income is at or below 60% of Virginia’s median income or 200% of the federal poverty level, whichever is higher. You also qualify if you already get an income‑based assistance program. The law also defines terms like manufactured homes, weatherization, deferral and weatherization‑ready repairs, and whole‑home energy retrofits.

Public plan for low income home upgrades

The Task Force must deliver a public report by September 30, 2027. It must map funding, list barriers, and give policy fixes. It must include a budget and timeline to provide weatherization‑ready repairs and whole‑home energy retrofits to all eligible households by December 31, 2034. The report must count how many households need help, track waitlists and deferrals, and show bill and energy savings. It must also publish five years of program data by census tract or zip code, including costs and estimated energy saved. The report must address multifamily and manufactured home challenges and workforce needs.

Task force on low income weatherization

The law creates a Task Force to improve low‑income weatherization and energy efficiency help. Housing and Community Development runs it with Energy and Social Services. The Department picks members, including agency reps, Commission staff, consumer counsel, at least 12 citizens, up to three utilities, and an income‑qualified ratepayer. It must meet at least six times from July 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 and follow open meeting rules. Members choose a chair by majority vote and may create subcommittees. Reports or updates need a majority vote with a quorum.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mamie E. Locke

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 236 • No: 29

Senate vote 3/3/2026

House amendment agreed to by Senate

Yes: 40 • No: 0

House vote 2/27/2026

Passed House with amendment

Yes: 72 • No: 24

House vote 2/24/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s)

Yes: 16 • No: 5

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/12/2026

General Laws and Technology Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/11/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/11/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/10/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/4/2026

Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0541)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 541 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  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

    3/10/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB5)

    3/9/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB5ER)

    3/9/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    3/9/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    3/9/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/9/2026House
  10. House amendment agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026Senate
  11. Passed House with amendment (72-Y 24-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026House
  12. Engrossed by House as amended

    2/27/2026House
  13. committee amendment agreed to

    2/27/2026House
  14. Read third time

    2/27/2026House
  15. Read second time

    2/26/2026House
  16. Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s) (16-Y 5-N)

    2/24/2026House
  17. Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

    2/18/2026House
  18. Read first time

    2/18/2026House
  19. Placed on Calendar

    2/18/2026House
  20. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/13/2026Senate
  21. General Laws and Technology Substitute agreed to

    2/12/2026Senate
  22. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/12/2026Senate
  23. Read second time

    2/12/2026Senate
  24. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/11/2026Senate
  25. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/11/2026Senate

Bill Text

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