SB497Introduced in the Senate
Transmission lines, certain; Department of Transportation to identify opportunities for siting.
Introduced by Russet Perry, District 31
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
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.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0029)
March 31, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
4 recorded votes · each counted separately
House of DelegatesStage: Passed House (95-Y 1-N 0-A) · February 27, 2026
95
Yes
1
No
3
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.
What do people think?
Citizen Voice
How would you vote on this bill?
An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.
One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.
See how each delegate voted
| Delegate | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Hope | 1 | Yes |
| Adele McClure | 2 | Yes |
| Alfonso Lopez | 3 | Yes |
| Charniele Herring | 4 | Yes |
| Kirk McPike | 5 | Yes |
| Richard Sullivan | 6 | Yes |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | 7 | Yes |
| Irene Shin | 8 | Yes |
| Karrie Delaney | 9 | Yes |
| Dan Helmer | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105270D
Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB497)
Senate committee offered
Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (15-Y 0-N)
Committee substitute printed 26106400D-S1
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (35-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day
Read second time
Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB497)
Placed on Calendar
Read first time
Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
Reported from Labor and Commerce (21-Y 1-N)
Read second time
Read third time
Passed House (95-Y 1-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB497ER)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB497)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 29 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0029)
Verify the information
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