SB 255 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Electric utilities; shared solar programs, Phase I Utility.

Summary

Electric utilities; shared solar programs; Phase I Utility. Amends certain provisions related to the shared solar program established by the State Corporation Commission for Appalachian Power Company. The bill permits excess bill credits to be distributed to shared solar subscribers more than once annually. The bill also requires the utility in administering its shared solar program to require net crediting functionality for customer utility bills, as described in the bill. The bill also directs Appalachian Power to (i) release an additional 50 megawatts as part two of the shared solar program on July 1, 2026; (ii) release a further additional 50 megawatts as part three of the shared solar program by January 1, 2028; and (iii) petition the Commission to initiate a shared solar expansion proceeding to determine the capacity for part four of the shared solar program by May 1, 2029. See final enactments for bill effective date. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation. This bill is identical to HB 809.

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled → Chaptered · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill finalizes the text of SB 255 into law, adding a new requirement for utilities to allow recovering the cost difference between subscriber bill credits and the actual cost of energy injected into the grid. It also clarifies the effective date for a specific provision in the shared solar program regulations to July 1, 2027, while maintaining the original deadline for the State Corporation Commission to update regulations by December 31, 2026.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on Virginia's shared solar programs for electric utilities, with no change to the entities or customers covered.

FISCAL

Added a new provision allowing utilities to recover the financial difference between the bill credit given to subscribers and the actual cost of energy they inject into the grid.

TIMELINE

Clarified that a specific subdivision of the shared solar regulations becomes effective on July 1, 2027, while keeping the general regulatory update deadline of December 31, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Changed the chapter number from a placeholder to Chapter 674 and updated the approval date to April 13, 2026.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 11, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Feb 11, 2026

D Democratic20

20 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 13, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 674 (Effective - see bill)

executive

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB255ER)

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed House (86-Y 10-N 0-A)

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Labor and Commerce (20-Y 2-N)

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

lower

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time and passed Senate (23-Y 16-N 0-A)

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (9-Y 5-N)

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate committee offered

upper

Jan 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors