HB1491
Electric utilities; construction of new overhead transmission lines, siting requirements.
Status:
Passed
Latest Action:
April 6, 2026
House: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1491)
Chief Patron:
JJ Singh (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Passed House of Origin. Electric utilities; construction of certain electrical transmission lines; siting requirements.
Requires the State Corporation Commission, in order to approve the construction of an electrical transmission line of 138 kilovolts or more, to determine that the corridor or route chosen for the line will avoid or reasonably minimize adverse impact to the greatest extent reasonably practicable on dwelling houses. For overhead ... (More) transmission lines of 500 kilovolts or more constructed by Dominion Energy Virginia, the bill directs the Commission to prioritize approving corridors or routes for construction for which the center is located further than 150 feet from any dwelling house, public or private school building, day care, or place of worship unless no other practicable alternative exists. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/23/2026 - House: Presented and ordered printed 26104454D
- 01/23/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
- 01/28/2026 - House: Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3
- 01/28/2026 - House: Placed on Labor and Commerce Agenda
- 01/29/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1491)
- 02/04/2026 - House: Placed on Labor and Commerce Agenda
- 02/05/2026 - House: House subcommittee offered
- 02/05/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (6-Y 2-N)
- 02/09/2026 - House: Placed on Labor and Commerce Agenda
- 02/10/2026 - House: Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (17-Y 5-N)
- 02/10/2026 - House: Committee substitute printed 26107224D-H1
- 02/12/2026 - House: Read first time
- 02/13/2026 - House: Read second time
- 02/13/2026 - House: committee substitute agreed to
- 02/13/2026 - House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute
- 02/16/2026 - House: Read third time and passed House (62-Y 35-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
- 02/17/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- 02/17/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
- 03/09/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1491)
- 03/09/2026 - Senate: Reported from Commerce and Labor (15-Y 0-N)
- 03/10/2026 - Senate: Rules suspended
- 03/10/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 03/10/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
- 03/11/2026 - Senate: Read third time
- 03/11/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day
- 03/12/2026 - Senate: Passed Senate (39-Y 1-N 0-A)
- 03/12/2026 - Senate: Read third time
- 03/30/2026 - House: Enrolled
- 03/30/2026 - House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1491ER)
- 03/30/2026 - Senate: Signed by President
- 03/31/2026 - House: Signed by Speaker
- 03/31/2026 - House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
- 03/31/2026 - Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- 04/06/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1491)
