Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 891: Siting of battery energy storage projects; commercial solar photovoltaic generation facilities, etc.
Passed both chambers Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 891 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Siting of battery energy storage projects; commercial solar photovoltaic generation facilities, etc. Primary sponsor: Irene Shin (Democratic). It lists 3 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (April 12, 2026): Governor's recommendation received by House.
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.
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.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2 · Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irene Shin | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 8 |
| Terry Kilgore | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 45 |
| Michelle Lopes Maldonado | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Shelly Simonds | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 70 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Governor's recommendation received by House
- Governor's recommendation received by House
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
- Signed by Speaker
- Enrolled
- Signed by President
- Enrolled
- Passed Senate (27-Y 11-N 1-A)
- Read third time
- Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Showing 12 most recent of 23 actions. Full history