Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and Related Approvals - Definition of Generating Station (Critical Infrastructure Streamlining Act of 2024)
This bill defines specific types of small-scale electricity generators as exempt from the requirement to obtain a state Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. It directly affects owners of facilities that build backup power systems for critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and data centers, as well as those installing small solar arrays. The legislation allows these projects to proceed without the usual regulatory approvals if they produce no more than 14 megawatts of power and include safety features that prevent electricity from flowing back into the main grid during outages. Additionally, the law adjusts how income tax revenue is calculated for corporations operating certain data centers.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Apr 2024
Senate Passage
Apr 2024
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2024
Signed into Law
May 2024
Introduced Jan 22, 2024
Signed May 9, 2024
Floor votes · Senate Mar 21, 2024 · House of Delegates Mar 21, 2024
How they voted
39–0
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 44
Mar 21, 2024
D
Democratic31
87% Yea
R
Republican13
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
16
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Amendments
1
May 9, 2024
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 411
executive
Apr 5, 2024
Upper · Passed
Passed Enrolled
upper
Apr 5, 2024
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Apr 5, 2024
Introduced
Senate Concurs House Amendments
upper
Apr 3, 2024
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 1, 2024
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
lower
Apr 1, 2024
Lower · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Economic Matters
lower
Mar 21, 2024
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (39-0-5)
senate
Mar 15, 2024
Committee
Referred Economic Matters
lower
Mar 14, 2024
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 11, 2024
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 11, 2024
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
Jan 22, 2024
Committee
First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
upper
18 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Ben Brooks
DDemocratic
P
Bill Ferguson
DDemocratic
P
Chris West
RRepublican
P
Clarence Lam
DDemocratic
P
Jack Bailey
RRepublican
P
Jason Gallion
RRepublican
P
Jeff Waldstreicher
DDemocratic
P
Jim Rosapepe
DDemocratic
P
Justin Ready
RRepublican
P
Malcolm Augustine
DDemocratic
P
Mary Beth Carozza
RRepublican
P
Mike McKay
RRepublican
P
Nick Charles
DDemocratic
P
Pam Beidle
DDemocratic
P
Paul Corderman
RRepublican
P
Shelly Hettleman
DDemocratic
P
Steve Hershey
RRepublican
P
William Folden
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SB 474
Scope: MD
Hi! I can help you understand SB 474. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline