HB 891 VA
Siting of battery energy storage projects; commercial solar photovoltaic generation facilities, etc.
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Summary
Siting of battery energy storage projects; commercial solar photovoltaic generation facilities; permitted accessory use. Deems battery energy storage projects as a permitted accessory use in all zoning districts on any parcel of land that is subject to an approved special exception, as defined in the bill, for a commercial solar photovoltaic generation facility, if such battery energy storage project is located within the boundaries of the parcel covered by the existing special exception and complies with any applicable federal, state, and local safety or fire codes and environmental regulations. The bill prohibits a host locality from requiring a special exception or any other local land use approval on such battery energy storage project. The bill clarifies that nothing in the provisions of the bill shall be construed to (i) limit the authority of a host locality to enforce compliance with applicable codes or ensure the safe operation of the battery energy storage project or (ii) preclude the developer of a battery energy storage project from negotiating a siting agreement with the host locality. The bill also clarifies that any battery energy storage project for which an initial interconnection request has been filed with an electric utility or a regional transmission organization prior to July 1, 2030, and is constructed in accordance with the provisions of the bill shall be subject to the applicable local ordinance and regulation in effect on July 1, 2026. This bill is identical to SB 443.
Sponsor (1)
- Irene Shin Democratic · primary
3 coauthors / cosponsors
- Terry G. Kilgore Republican · cosponsor
- Michelle Lopes Maldonado · cosponsor
- Shelly A. Simonds Democratic · cosponsor
Action history (23)
- Jan 13, 2026 Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103655D · lower
- Jan 13, 2026 Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns · lower
- Jan 28, 2026 Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #1 · lower
- Jan 30, 2026 Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (17-Y 4-N) · lower
- Feb 3, 2026 Read first time · lower
- Feb 4, 2026 Read second time and engrossed · lower
- Feb 5, 2026 Read third time and passed House (70-Y 28-N 0-A) · lower
- Feb 6, 2026 Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) · upper
- Feb 6, 2026 Referred to Committee on Local Government · upper
- Mar 2, 2026 Reported from Local Government (11-Y 4-N) · upper
- Mar 3, 2026 Rules suspended · upper
- Mar 3, 2026 Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) · upper
- Mar 3, 2026 Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) · upper
- Mar 4, 2026 Read third time · upper
- Mar 4, 2026 Passed Senate (27-Y 11-N 1-A) · upper
- Mar 11, 2026 Enrolled · lower
- Mar 11, 2026 Signed by President · upper
- Mar 11, 2026 Enrolled · lower
- Mar 12, 2026 Signed by Speaker · lower
- Mar 14, 2026 Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026 · lower
- Mar 14, 2026 Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 · executive
- Apr 12, 2026 Governor's recommendation received by House · executive
- Apr 12, 2026 Governor's recommendation received by House · executive
Text versions (7)
The published texts of this bill as it moves through the legislature. Each links to the official document on the state legislature site. Data from OpenStates.
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