WatchGov

Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia SB 256

Appliance minimum energy and water conservation standards; requirement of manufacturers.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Summary

Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED

Minimum energy and water conservation standards; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning facilities and home appliances; Department of Energy; prohibited practices; penalty. Provides that if any product or product categories under the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (the EPCA) are removed by the U.S. Secretary of Energy or the federal government, the Department of Energy shall adopt energy or water conservation standards that shall be equivalent to the last applicable federal standards with a product compliance date of on or before December 31, 2025. The bill prohibits any such new products from being sold, offered for sale, leased, or rented in the Commonwealth unless such products meet or exceed such standards. The bill excludes any energy or water conservation standards set aside by a court or any product if federal law preempts the application of the minimum energy and water conservation standards to such a product, including any product or product categories where there is a requirement to develop a standard under the EPCA.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 14, 2026, 8:13 PM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Mar 3, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 26, 2026
House		Reported from Labor and CommercepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 17, 2026
Senate		Passage RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 13, 2026
Senate		Constitutional reading dispensed RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 12, 2026
Senate		Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see

Actions