STATE BILLVA HB 1491PASSED

Electric utilities; construction of new overhead transmission lines, siting requirements.

Electric utilities; construction of certain electrical transmission lines; siting requirements. Requires the State Corporation Commission, in order to approve the construction of an electrical transmission line of 138 kilovolts or more, to determine that the corridor or route chosen for the line will avoid or reasonably minimize adverse impact to the greatest extent reasonably practicable on dwelling houses. For overhead transmission lines of 500 kilovolts or more constructed by Dominion Energy Virginia, the bill directs the Commission to prioritize approving corridors or routes for construction for which the center is located farther than 150 feet from any dwelling house, public or private school building, day care, or place of worship unless no other practicable alternative exists.

Status: Passed; Signed or otherwise enacted
Status date: Apr 13, 2026; 213 days ago
Current chamber: House of Delegates
Session: 2026 Regular Session

VA HB 1491 · PassedApr 13

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Bill details

Last action: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0866) · Apr 13, 2026

Bill history

Newest first.

Apr 13, 2026Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0866)

Apr 13, 2026Approved by Governor-Chapter 866 (effective 7/1/2026)

Apr 6, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1491)House

Mar 31, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

Mar 31, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026House

Mar 31, 2026Signed by SpeakerHouse

Mar 30, 2026Signed by PresidentSenate

Mar 30, 2026Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1491ER)House

Show 25 earlier actions

Mar 30, 2026EnrolledHouse

Mar 12, 2026Read third timeSenate

Mar 12, 2026Passed Senate (39-Y 1-N 0-A)Senate

Mar 11, 2026Passed by for the daySenate

Mar 11, 2026Read third timeSenate

Mar 10, 2026Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)Senate

Mar 10, 2026Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate

Mar 10, 2026Rules suspendedSenate

Mar 9, 2026Reported from Commerce and Labor (15-Y 0-N)Senate

Mar 9, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1491)House

Feb 17, 2026Referred to Committee on Commerce and LaborSenate

Feb 17, 2026Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)Senate

Feb 16, 2026Read third time and passed House (62-Y 35-N 0-A)House

Feb 13, 2026Engrossed by House - committee substituteHouse

Feb 13, 2026committee substitute agreed toHouse

Feb 13, 2026Read second timeHouse

Feb 12, 2026Read first timeHouse

Feb 10, 2026Committee substitute printed 26107224D-H1House

Feb 10, 2026Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (17-Y 5-N)House

Feb 5, 2026Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 2-N)House

Feb 5, 2026House subcommittee offeredHouse

Jan 29, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1491)House

Jan 28, 2026Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3House

Jan 23, 2026Referred to Committee on Labor and CommerceHouse

Jan 23, 2026Presented and ordered printed 26104454DHouse

Recorded votes

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 2-N)Feb 5, 2026 · House · 6 yea · 2 nayPassed

Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (17-Y 5-N)Feb 10, 2026 · House · 17 yea · 5 nayPassed

Read third time and passed House (62-Y 35-N 0-A)Feb 16, 2026 · House · 62 yea · 35 nayPassed

Reported from Commerce and Labor (15-Y 0-N)Mar 9, 2026 · Senate · 15 yea · 0 nayPassed

Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)Mar 10, 2026 · Senate · 37 yea · 0 nayPassed

Passed Senate (39-Y 1-N 0-A)Mar 12, 2026 · Senate · 39 yea · 1 nayPassed

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Electric utilities; construction of new overhead transmission lines, siting requirements.

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Bill details

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Bill history

Recorded votes

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Electric utilities; construction of new overhead transmission lines, siting requirements.

What it means for vendors

Bill details

Sponsors

Bill history

Recorded votes

Read the bill at the source

Start finding government buyers today.It's free.

Start finding government buyers today.
It's free.