SB 659 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Solar Interconnection Grant Program; established, report, sunset.

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.
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 14, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled Chaptered · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was formally enacted into law as Chapter 660, effective April 13, 2026. The primary change is the addition of a new section, 45.2-1918, which establishes a Solar Interconnection Grant Program to support solar energy projects. The text also includes minor formatting adjustments to the section title and the definition of 'Division'.
Scope change
The bill's scope is unchanged; it introduces a new program that did not exist in the previous version.
TIMELINE

The bill was approved and enacted on April 13, 2026, moving from a proposed status to an active law.

SCOPE

A new Article 4 and Section 45.2-1918 were added to Title 45.2, Chapter 19, creating the Solar Interconnection Grant Program.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting changes were made to the section title and the definition of 'Division' to align with standard legislative formatting.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 12, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 2, 2026

How they voted

390
Passed
Total votes 39
Feb 12, 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
33
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 660 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB659ER)
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (84-Y 15-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Committee
Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Appropriations
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (30-Y 8-N 1-A)
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (12-Y 2-N 1-A)
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Commerce and Labor and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (12-Y 3-N)
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors