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HB590Introduced in the House of Delegates

Smart Solar Permitting Platform; established, residential solar energy systems.

Passed

Introduced by Phil Hernandez, District 94

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Smart Solar Permitting Platform established; residential solar energy systems; work group; report. Creates the Smart Solar Permitting Platform (the Platform) to serve as a tool for (i) contractors to obtain permits for the construction of streamline-eligible residential solar energy systems and (ii) localities to process applications for such permits. The bill requires the Department of Energy to establish, launch, and administer the Platform by July 1, 2027, as an internet-based platform that automates plan review and instantly releases a permit or a permit revision to construct certain residential solar energy systems that comply with any applicable building codes and state laws. The bill requires localities to allow contractors to submit an application to construct a residential solar energy system through the Platform or through an alternative automated solar permitting platform by July 1, 2028. The bill requires any locality that chooses to use an alternative automated solar permitting platform to submit an annual report to the Department no later than March 1 of each year. The bill directs the Director of the Department to convene a work group to determine the appropriateness of adding a surcharge to local government permitting fees to defray state costs for the Platform and to report its findings to the General Assembly on or before November 1, 2026. This bill is identical to SB 382.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0633)

April 13, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

7 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

6 recorded votes · each counted separately

House of DelegatesStage: Conference report agreed to by House (64-Y 33-N 0-A) · March 14, 2026

64

Yes

33

No

2

Absent or Not Voting

99 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each delegate voted

DelegateDistrictVote
Patrick Hope1Yes
Adele McClure2Yes
Alfonso Lopez3Yes
Charniele Herring4Yes
Kirk McPike5Yes
Richard Sullivan6Yes
Karen Keys-Gamarra7Yes
Irene Shin8Yes
Karrie Delaney9Yes
Dan Helmer10Yes

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102512D

  2. Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

  3. Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3

  4. House subcommittee offered

  5. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (8-Y 1-N)

  6. Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute and referred to Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)

  7. Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources

  8. Committee substitute printed 26106636D-H1

  9. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB590)

  10. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB590)

  11. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (5-Y 2-N)

  12. House subcommittee offered

  13. Reported from Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 7-N)

  14. Committee substitute printed 26107463D-H2

  15. Read first time

  16. Read second time

  17. committee substitute rejected

  18. committee substitute agreed to

  19. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

  20. Read third time and passed House (61-Y 34-N 0-A)

  21. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  22. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

  23. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB590)

  24. Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 6-N)

  25. Committee substitute printed 26108986D-S1

  26. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 4-N)

  27. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB590)

  28. Rules suspended

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

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

  31. Read third time

  32. Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to

  33. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

  34. Passed Senate with substitute (23-Y 17-N 0-A)

  35. Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 98-N 0-A)

  36. Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  37. Senate requested conference committee

  38. House acceded to request

  39. Conferees appointed by House

  40. House Conferees: Hernandez, Nivar, Runion

  41. Conferees appointed by Senate

  42. Senate Conferees: Surovell, Boysko, Peake

  43. Conference Report released

  44. Conference report agreed to by Senate (22-Y 17-N 0-A)

  45. Conference report agreed to by House (64-Y 33-N 0-A)

  46. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB590)

  47. Enrolled

  48. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB590ER)

  49. Signed by President

  50. Signed by Speaker

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

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

  53. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB590)

  54. Approved by Governor-Chapter 633 (effective 7/1/2026)

  55. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0633)

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