The People's Ledger
← All Virginia bills

SB253Introduced in the Senate

Electric utilities; pilot programs for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals.

Passed

Introduced by Louise Lucas, District 18

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.

Official description

Electric utilities; pilot programs for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. Amends annual funding commitments for the purposes of the annual pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals conducted by Dominion Energy Virginia and Appalachian Power Company. Under the bill, Appalachian Power Company is required to continue its pilot program at no less than $1 million and no greater than $1.5 million annually. Dominion Energy Virginia is required to continue its pilot program at no less than $156 million and no greater than $204 million for the time period beginning July 1, 2026, and ending July 1, 2038. The bill extends the sunset date of such pilot programs from July 1, 2028, to July 1, 2038.The bill also provides that Dominion Energy Virginia may recover costs associated with certain electrical facilities that have been approved by the State Corporation Commission as of December 1, 2033, provided that certain requirements are met and notwithstanding any limitations on such cost recovery in current law. The bill directs Dominion Energy Virginia to propose to the Commission, in any proceeding to determine rates for generation and distribution services commencing after January 1, 2027, and before July 1, 2033, that certain costs related to capacity procurement requirements and distribution infrastructure investments are allocated to the utility's customer class approved to serve customers with a contracted or measured electric demand of 25 megawatts or greater and an anticipated or measured average annual electric load factor of 75 percent or greater. The bill provides that certain customers in manufacturing, industrial, or consumer goods warehousing and distribution activities other than data storage may elect to remain on their existing rate schedule. The bill requires Dominion Energy Virginia, in connection with its first proceeding to determine rates for generation and distribution services commencing after July 1, 2026, to include in its petition to the Commission a proposal to revise its tariff for supplementary, maintenance, or standby service for customers with power plants, effective as of January 1, 2028. The bill provides that the Commission shall only approve such proposal if it determines that such tariff will not adversely affect other retail customers or the utility in a manner contrary to the public interest, and any revised tariff terms shall include protections against stranded cost risks to the utility customer base. Additionally, the bill authorizes Dominion Energy Virginia to file a petition for the securitization of certain deferred fuel costs. 

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1124)

May 14, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

4 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

9 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation Nos. 7, 9, and 10 (37-Y 2-N 0-A) · April 22, 2026

37

Yes

2

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 French1Yes
Mark Obenshain2Yes
Chris Head3Absent
David Suetterlein4No
Travis Hackworth5Yes
Todd Pillion6Yes
William Stanley7Yes
Mark Peake8Yes

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104601D

  2. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB253)

  4. Senate committee offered

  5. Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (13-Y 0-N 1-A)

  6. Committee substitute printed 26107406D-S1

  7. Reported from Finance and Appropriations with amendments (14-Y 0-N 1-A)

  8. Rules suspended

  9. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (35-Y 0-N 0-A)

  10. Passed by for the day

  11. Read second time

  12. Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)

  13. Finance and Appropriations Amendment agreed to (Voice Vote)

  14. Floor offered Senator McDougle Amendment

  15. Reading of amendment waived (Voice Vote)

  16. Senator McDougle Amendment rejected (19-Y 20-N 0-A)

  17. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute as amended (Voice Vote)

  18. Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  19. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB253)

  20. Placed on Calendar

  21. Read first time

  22. Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

  23. Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (18-Y 3-N)

  24. Committee substitute printed 26108745D-H1

  25. Read second time

  26. Read third time

  27. committee substitute agreed to

  28. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

  29. Passed House with substitute (66-Y 32-N 0-A)

  30. House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 39-N 0-A)

  31. House insisted on substitute

  32. House requested conference committee

  33. Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  34. Conferees appointed by Senate

  35. Senate Conferees: Lucas, Surovell, McDougle

  36. Conferees appointed by House

  37. House Conferees: LeVere Bolling, Torian, Kilgore

  38. Conference Report released

  39. Conference report agreed to by House (73-Y 23-N 0-A)

  40. Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)

  41. Enrolled

  42. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB253ER)

  43. Signed by President

  44. Signed by Speaker

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

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

  47. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB253)

  48. Governor's recommendation received by Senate

  49. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation Nos. 7, 9, and 10 (37-Y 2-N 0-A)

  50. Governor's recommendation Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 11 passed by (Voice Vote)

  51. Governor's amendments nos. 7, 9, and 10 agreed to (73-Y 25-N 0-A)

  52. Governor's recommendation adopted

  53. Reenrolled

  54. Reenrolled bill text (SB253ER2)

  55. Signed by Speaker

  56. Signed by President

  57. Communicated to Governor

  58. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026

  59. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1124 (effective 7/1/2026)

  60. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1124)

Verify the information

Our commitment to neutrality

We provide factual information only. We never tell you which politicians or bills to support, and we do not rank, score, or endorse anyone.