SB443
Siting of battery energy storage projects; commercial solar photovoltaic generation facilities.
Status:
Passed
Latest Action:
March 10, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Chief Patron:
Jeremy McPike (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. Siting of battery energy storage projects; commercial solar photovoltaic generation facilities; permitted accessory use.
Deems battery energy storage projects as a permitted accessory use in all zoning districts on any parcel of land that is subject to an approved special exception, as defined in the bill, for a commercial solar photovoltaic generation facility, if such battery energy storage project is located within the boundaries ... (More) of the parcel covered by the existing special exception and complies with any applicable federal, state, and local safety or fire codes and environmental regulations. The bill prohibits a host locality from requiring a special exception or any other local land use approval on such battery energy storage project. The bill clarifies that nothing in the provisions of the bill shall be construed to (i) limit the authority of a host locality to enforce compliance with applicable codes or ensure the safe operation of the battery energy storage project or (ii) preclude the developer of a battery energy storage project from negotiating a siting agreement with the host locality. The bill also clarifies that any battery energy storage project for which an initial interconnection request has been filed with an electric utility or a regional transmission organization prior to July 1, 2030, and is constructed in accordance with the provisions of the bill shall be subject to the applicable local ordinance and regulation in effect on July 1, 2026. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/13/2026 - Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103172D
- 01/13/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee on Local Government
- 01/13/2026 - Senate: Introduced bill reprinted 26103172D
- 01/13/2026 - Senate: Introduced bill reprinted 26103172D
- 01/26/2026 - Senate: Reported from Local Government (11-Y 3-N)
- 01/26/2026 - Senate: Fiscal Impact statement From CLG (1/26/2026 11:53 am)
- 01/27/2026 - Senate: Read first time
- 01/27/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 01/27/2026 - Senate: Rules suspended
- 01/27/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- 01/27/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day
- 01/28/2026 - Senate: Read second time
- 01/28/2026 - Senate: Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)
- 01/29/2026 - Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (26-Y 13-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
- 02/04/2026 - House: Placed on Calendar
- 02/04/2026 - House: Read first time
- 02/04/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
- 02/12/2026 - House: Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
- 02/13/2026 - House: Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (18-Y 3-N)
- 02/15/2026 - House: Read second time
- 02/16/2026 - House: Read third time
- 02/16/2026 - House: Passed House (68-Y 30-N 0-A)
- 02/18/2026 - Senate: Enrolled
- 02/18/2026 - Senate: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB443ER)
- 02/18/2026 - House: Signed by Speaker
- 02/18/2026 - Senate: Signed by President
- 03/10/2026 - Senate: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
- 03/10/2026 - Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
