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VA SB651
VA SB651Underground electric distribution & transmission improvement.; levy on utility customers by ordinance.
summary
Introduced
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Qualifying localities; underground electric distribution and transmission improvements; levy on utility customers by ordinance. Authorizes a qualifying locality, defined in the bill, to enter into an agreement with an electric utility to place new or proposed underground electric distribution or transmission lines and facilities or to relocate or convert existing overhead electric distribution or transmission lines and facilities underground. The bill requires any such agreement to provide that the locality pay to the utility its full additional costs of placing new or proposed electric distribution or transmission lines in the qualifying locality or relocating and converting that portion of a line located in the county underground rather than overhead, minus the net of relocation credits.The bill also provides that the qualifying locality may impose an additional levy on electric utility customers, which (i) shall not exceed $1 per month on residential customers; (ii) shall not exceed $10 per month on nonresidential customers; (iii) may be fixed at any amount on nonresidential customers that are major commercial energy consumers, defined in the bill; and (iv) shall be collected by the utility on behalf of the locality.
AI Summary
This bill allows certain designated localities, referred to as "qualifying localities," to enter into agreements with electric utilities to place new or proposed electric lines and facilities underground, or to move existing overhead lines underground. The agreement would require the locality to cover the utility's additional costs for this work, minus any relocation credits. To help fund these improvements, qualifying localities can impose an additional levy on electric utility customers, which is capped at $1 per month for residential customers and $10 per month for nonresidential customers, with a special provision for "major commercial energy consumers" (defined as facilities primarily for digital data storage and processing that use at least 25 megawatts of power and cooling). This levy would be collected by the electric utility on behalf of the locality. The bill also clarifies that this new levy is in addition to existing utility taxes and specifies that the locality is responsible for obtaining necessary easements and permits, except for certain certificates required by the utility.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Fiscal Impact statement From TAX (2/21/2026 3:41 pm) (on 02/21/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB651 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact statement From TAX (2/21/2026 3:41 pm) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1171755.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB651/text/SB651E |
| Commerce and Labor Amendment | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB651/text/SB651AS1 |
| Commerce and Labor Amendment | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB651/text/SB651ASC1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact statement From TAX (1/31/2026 8:22 am) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1105275.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB651/text/SB651 |
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