Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session
Virginia HB 891
Siting of battery energy storage projects; commercial solar photovoltaic generation facilities, etc.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- Irene Shin (Democratic)
Cosponsors (3)
- Shelly A. Simonds (Democratic)
- Michelle Lopes Maldonado
- Terry G. Kilgore (Republican)
Summary
Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED
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.
Text versions
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:04 PM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 4, 2026 Senate | Passage R | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Mar 3, 2026 Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Mar 2, 2026 Senate | Reported from Local Government | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Feb 5, 2026 House | H VOTE: | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
| Jan 30, 2026 House | Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns | pass | Set your home in Virginia to see |
Actions
- Apr 12, 2026
Governor's recommendation received by House - Apr 12, 2026
Governor's recommendation received by House - Mar 14, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 - Mar 14, 2026 · House
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026 - Mar 12, 2026 · House
Signed by Speaker - Mar 11, 2026 · House
Enrolled - Mar 11, 2026 · Senate
Signed by President - Mar 11, 2026 · House
Enrolled - Mar 4, 2026 · Senate
Passed Senate (27-Y 11-N 1-A) - Mar 4, 2026 · Senate
Read third time - Mar 3, 2026 · Senate
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) - Mar 3, 2026 · Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) - Mar 3, 2026 · Senate
Rules suspended - Mar 2, 2026 · Senate
Reported from Local Government (11-Y 4-N) - Feb 6, 2026 · Senate
Referred to Committee on Local Government - Feb 6, 2026 · Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) - Feb 5, 2026 · House
Read third time and passed House (70-Y 28-N 0-A) - Feb 4, 2026 · House
Read second time and engrossed - Feb 3, 2026 · House
Read first time - Jan 30, 2026 · House
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (17-Y 4-N) - Jan 28, 2026 · House
Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #1 - Jan 13, 2026 · House
Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns - Jan 13, 2026 · House
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103655D