# Virginia SB944: Natural gas utilities; retail supply choice, report.

Virginia SB944, Natural gas utilities; retail supply choice, report., is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Bill DeSteph (Republican); status failed, last action 2025-01-24 (Passed by indefinitely in Rules (8-Y 4-N)) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB944-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB944
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Natural gas utilities; retail supply choice, report.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-06
- Last action: 2025-01-24, Passed by indefinitely in Rules (8-Y 4-N)
- Sponsor: Bill DeSteph (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (8 yes, 4 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Natural gas utilities; retail supply choice; work group; report. Allows every person access to distribution service or retail natural gas from a natural gas utility authorized to provide natural gas service to the area where the service will be received. The bill prohibits a public entity from adopting an ordinance, resolution, or any other requirement that limits or prohibits customers from acquiring natural gas service and supply from both utility and non-utility gas companies. The bill prohibits public entities from denying building permits solely based on a proposed utility provider and directs public entities to ensure that all applicable permits and fees are reasonable, as compared to other utility providers, and do not restrict an applicant's ability to use the services of an authorized utility provider. The bill also directs the Department of Energy to convene a work group for the purposes of evaluating the impact of critical infrastructure sectors on natural gas service or natural gas supply choice and the impact of any public entity restricting a critical infrastructure sector from acquiring fuel and to submit a report of its findings and recommendations by November 1, 2025.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Bill DeSteph (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-01-24 | Senate | Passed by indefinitely in Rules | pass | 8 | 4 |   |

## Actions (3)

- 2025-01-24: Passed by indefinitely in Rules (8-Y 4-N) (Senate)
- 2025-01-06: Referred to Committee on Rules (Senate)
- 2025-01-06: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25102169D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2025-01-06: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013820.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013819.PDF)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013820.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1013819.PDF)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
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- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB944-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).