VirginiaSB6592026 Regular SessionSenate

Solar Interconnection Grant Program; established, report, sunset.

Sponsored By: Christie New Craig (Republican)

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 HB 683.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Grants to connect public solar projects

The law creates a competitive grant program to cut the cost of connecting public solar projects to the grid. Eligible applicants are public bodies: localities, other political subdivisions, and school boards. Projects on previously developed sites get priority for funding. The Division of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency runs the program and publishes application and award rules. Grants are paid only from money the General Assembly appropriates. The Division must send a report each year by November 1 to the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations chairs. The program ends July 1, 2027.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Christie New Craig

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 200 • No: 28

House vote 3/2/2026

Passed House

Yes: 84 • No: 15

House vote 2/25/2026

Reported from Appropriations

Yes: 22 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/16/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 30 • No: 8 • Other: 1

Senate vote 2/13/2026

Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/12/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/12/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/11/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute

Yes: 12 • No: 2 • Other: 1

Senate vote 2/9/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 12 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0660)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 660 (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 (SB659)

    3/5/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB659ER)

    3/5/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    3/5/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    3/5/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/5/2026House
  10. Passed House (84-Y 15-N 0-A)

    3/2/2026House
  11. Read third time

    3/2/2026House
  12. Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

    3/2/2026House
  13. Read second time

    2/27/2026House
  14. Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)

    2/25/2026House
  15. Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources

    2/25/2026House
  16. Read first time

    2/20/2026House
  17. Referred to Committee on Appropriations

    2/20/2026House
  18. Placed on Calendar

    2/20/2026House
  19. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB659)

    2/18/2026Senate
  20. Read third time and passed Senate (30-Y 8-N 1-A)

    2/16/2026Senate
  21. Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

    2/13/2026Senate
  22. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)

    2/13/2026Senate
  23. Read second time

    2/13/2026Senate
  24. Committee substitute printed 26107816D-S1

    2/13/2026Senate
  25. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/12/2026Senate

Bill Text

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