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HB1487Introduced in the House of Delegates

Underground transmission lines; pilot program, clarifies qualifying projects, report.

Passed

Introduced by J.J. Singh, District 26

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Pilot program for underground transmission lines; qualifying projects; levy; report. Authorizes the State Corporation Commission, in reviewing any application submitted by a public utility for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the construction of an electrical transmission line of 500 kilovolts filed between January 1, 2025, and July 1, 2033, to approve up to four applications for qualifying projects to be constructed in whole or in part underground as part of the pilot program for underground transmission lines and to provide an expedited review of any such application. The bill removes certain provisions related to the existing pilot program. Under the bill, a project shall be qualified if (i) the Commission finds that an engineering analysis demonstrates that it is technically feasible to place the proposed line in whole or in part underground, (ii) the application contains certain information regarding projections of project costs, (iii) the application contains evidence that the governing body of each locality in which at least a portion of the proposed line will be placed underground supports the project's inclusion in the program and agrees to meet its related funding obligations, and (iv) the Commission finds the overall cost of the project reasonable and consistent with the public interest. The bill permits the Commission to deny an application for a project that otherwise meets the criteria to qualify, provided that the Commission publicly shares its rationale for doing so.The bill requires at least 50 percent of the marginal costs, as defined in the bill, of the portion of a qualifying project chosen to be placed underground within a locality pursuant to its provisions to be paid by such locality. The bill permits such a locality to meet such requirement through imposing a levy on electric utility customers within the locality, issuing a general obligation bond subject to a referendum, or allocating its own funds. The bill extends the Commission's final report deadline for the pilot program from December 1, 2024, to December 1, 2034.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0863)

April 13, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

5 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

5 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Conference report agreed to by Senate (28-Y 11-N 0-A) · March 14, 2026

28

Yes

11

No

1

Absent or Not Voting

40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker5Yes
Michael Jones77Yes
Timmy French1No
Mark Obenshain2No
Chris Head3No
David Suetterlein4No
Travis Hackworth5No
Todd Pillion6No
William Stanley7Yes
Mark Peake8No

Bill history

  1. Presented and ordered printed 26105920D

  2. Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

  3. Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3

  4. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1487)

  5. House subcommittee offered

  6. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 1-N)

  7. Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (19-Y 3-N)

  8. Committee substitute printed 26107094D-H1

  9. Read first time

  10. Read second time

  11. committee substitute agreed to

  12. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

  13. Read third time and passed House (62-Y 36-N 0-A)

  14. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  15. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

  16. Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (12-Y 3-N)

  17. Committee substitute printed 26108404D-S1

  18. Rules suspended

  19. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  20. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  21. Read third time

  22. Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to

  23. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

  24. Passed Senate with substitute (27-Y 13-N 0-A)

  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1487)

  26. Senate substitute rejected by House (7-Y 92-N 0-A)

  27. Senate insisted on amendment (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  28. Senate requested conference committee

  29. House acceded to request

  30. Conferees appointed by Senate

  31. Senate Conferees: Srinivasan, Surovell, Peake

  32. Conferees appointed by House

  33. House Conferees: Singh, Sullivan, O'Quinn

  34. Conference Report released

  35. Conference report agreed to by House (61-Y 36-N 0-A)

  36. Conference report agreed to by Senate (28-Y 11-N 0-A)

  37. Enrolled

  38. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1487ER)

  39. Signed by President

  40. Signed by Speaker

  41. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  42. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  43. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1487)

  44. Approved by Governor-Chapter 863 (effective 7/1/2026)

  45. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0863)

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