Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 250: Electric utilities; small portable solar generation devices, local regulation.
Passed both chambers Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 250 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 12, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Electric utilities; small portable solar generation devices, local regulation. Primary sponsor: Scott Surovell (Democratic). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (April 11, 2026): Governor's recommendation received by Senate.
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; small portable solar generation devices; local regulation; installation by tenants; consumer protection. Prevents a locality from prohibiting the use of a small portable solar generation device, as defined in the bill, on a residential structure, provided that certain requirements are met. The bill includes provisions related to the installation of small portable solar generation devices by tenants and prevents landlords from prohibiting such installation in certain circumstances. Under the bill, small portable solar generation devices are excluded from the provisions of net metering programs applicable to eligible agricultural customer-generators, eligible customer-generators, or small agricultural generating facilities. The bill also permits any electric utility customer to own and operate a small portable solar generation device, provided that certain requirements are met. The bill prohibits an investor-owned utility, municipal utility, or electric cooperative from imposing interconnection requirements, charging any fee related to the device, or requiring that the customer obtain the utility's approval before installing or using the device. Under the bill, no electric utility, municipal utility, electric cooperative shall be liable for damage or injury caused by a small portable solar generation device. The bill directs the State Corporation Commission to develop and publish a notification form for a customer of an electric utility or cooperative to install a small portable solar generation device and directs the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to convene a work group to evaluate and develop recommendations regarding the safety standards and requirements applicable to small portable solar generation devices. Certain provisions of the bill become effective on January 1, 2027. This bill is identical to HB 395.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1 · Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Surovell | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 34 |
| David Suetterlein | Co-sponsor | Republican | Senate | 4 |
“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 Senate
- Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB250)
- 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 Senate and House (SB250ER)
- Enrolled
- Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB250)
- House substitute agreed to by Senate (29-Y 11-N 0-A)
- Passed House with substitute (96-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history