Electric utilities; shared solar programs, Phase I Utility.
Summary
Electric utilities; shared solar programs; Phase I Utility. Amends certain provisions related to the shared solar program established by the State Corporation Commission for Appalachian Power Company. The bill permits excess bill credits to be distributed to shared solar subscribers more than once annually. The bill also requires the utility in administering its shared solar program to require net crediting functionality for customer utility bills, as described in the bill. The bill also directs Appalachian Power to (i) release an additional 50 megawatts as part two of the shared solar program on July 1, 2026; (ii) release a further additional 50 megawatts as part three of the shared solar program by January 1, 2028; and (iii) petition the Commission to initiate a shared solar expansion proceeding to determine the capacity for part four of the shared solar program by May 1, 2029. See final enactments for bill effective date. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation. This bill is identical to SB 255.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 13, 2026
Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
Enrolled
→
Chaptered
·
3 edits
MINOR
This bill finalizes the text of HB 809 into law, assigning it Chapter 673 and setting a specific approval date of April 13, 2026. The primary substantive change is the addition of a new provision allowing utilities to recover financial differences between bill credits and energy costs as purchased power expenses. It also clarifies that a specific section of the shared solar program will not take effect until July 1, 2027, rather than immediately.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on shared solar programs for electric utilities, but the applicability of one specific provision is delayed to July 1, 2027.
REQUIREMENT
Added a new requirement allowing utilities to recover costs associated with the difference between subscriber bill credits and the cost of energy injected into the grid.
TIMELINE
Added a specific effective date of July 1, 2027, for subdivision F 15, delaying its implementation compared to other parts of the act.
TECHNICAL
Updated the header to reflect the official chapter number (673) and the specific approval date of April 13, 2026.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 25, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026
How they voted
39–0
Passed
Total votes 39
Feb 25, 2026
D
Democratic20
100% Yea
R
Republican19
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
33
Key actions
11
Committee
6
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 673 (Effective - see bill)
executive
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB809ER)
lower
Feb 26, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Commerce and Labor (8-Y 6-N)
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (97-Y 1-N 0-A)
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (22-Y 0-N)
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3
lower
Jan 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Rip Sullivan
DDemocratic
Co
Nadarius Clark
DDemocratic
Co
Nicole Cole
DDemocratic
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