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Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 497: Transmission lines, certain; Department of Transportation to identify opportunities for siting.

Enacted Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 497 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Transmission lines, certain; Department of Transportation to identify opportunities for siting. Primary sponsor: Russet Perry (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (March 31, 2026): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0029).

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.

Policy of the Commonwealth; siting of certain new electric transmission facilities; Department of Transportation work group; report. Provides that in the siting of new electric transmission facilities, it is the policy of the Commonwealth that existing linear infrastructure corridors shall be prioritized over new corridors. The bill directs the Department of Transportation to convene a work group to identify opportunities and develop recommendations to amend regulations and permitting processes to facilitate the expedient and efficient siting of new electrical transmission infrastructure in existing state highway rights-of-way. This bill is identical to HB 889.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Russet PerryPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate31

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0029)
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 29 (effective 7/1/2026)
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB497)
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
  6. Signed by President
  7. Signed by Speaker
  8. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB497ER)
  9. Enrolled
  10. Passed House (95-Y 1-N 0-A)
  11. Read third time
  12. Read second time

Showing 12 most recent of 32 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source