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SB659Introduced in the Senate

Solar Interconnection Grant Program; established, report, sunset.

Passed

Introduced by Christie New Craig, District 19

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Solar Interconnection Grant Fund and Program established; report; sunset. Establishes the Solar Interconnection Grant Program for the purpose of awarding grants on a competitive basis to public bodies to offset costs associated with the interconnection of solar facilities to the grid. The Program is administered by the Division of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency of the Department of Energy. The bill requires that priority be given to solar facilities located on previously developed project sites and requires the Division to establish and publish guidelines and criteria for the awarding of grants and general requirements of the Program. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2027, and, as introduced, was a recommendation of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation. This bill is identical to HB 683.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0660)

April 13, 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 (84-Y 15-N 0-A) · March 2, 2026

84

Yes

15

No

0

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 26104604D

  2. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB659)

  4. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB659)

  5. Reported from Commerce and Labor and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (12-Y 3-N)

  6. Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (12-Y 2-N 1-A)

  7. Rules suspended

  8. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

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

  10. Committee substitute printed 26107816D-S1

  11. Read second time

  12. Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

  13. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)

  14. Read third time and passed Senate (30-Y 8-N 1-A)

  15. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB659)

  16. Placed on Calendar

  17. Read first time

  18. Referred to Committee on Appropriations

  19. Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources

  20. Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)

  21. Read second time

  22. Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

  23. Read third time

  24. Passed House (84-Y 15-N 0-A)

  25. Enrolled

  26. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB659ER)

  27. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB659)

  28. Signed by Speaker

  29. Signed by President

  30. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

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

  32. Approved by Governor-Chapter 660 (effective 7/1/2026)

  33. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0660)

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