Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 1491: Electric utilities; construction of new overhead transmission lines, siting requirements.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 1491 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 23, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Electric utilities; construction of new overhead transmission lines, siting requirements. Primary sponsor: J.J. Singh (Democratic). It lists 8 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (April 13, 2026): Approved by Governor-Chapter 866 (effective 7/1/2026).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
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.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 7
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| J.J. Singh | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 26 |
| Stacey Annie Carroll | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Nicole Cole | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 66 |
| Josh Cole | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 65 |
| Liz Guzmán | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 22 |
| John Chilton McAuliff | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Atoosa Reaser | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 27 |
| Danica Roem | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 30 |
| Kannan Srinivasan | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 32 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 866 (effective 7/1/2026)
- Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1491)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
- Signed by Speaker
- Signed by President
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1491ER)
- Enrolled
- Read third time
- Passed Senate (39-Y 1-N 0-A)
- Passed by for the day
- Read third time
Showing 12 most recent of 32 actions. Full history