Income-Qualified Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Task Force; established, report.
Summary
Department of Housing and Community Development; Income-Qualified Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Task Force established; report. Directs the Department of Housing and Community Development to establish, in collaboration with the Department of Energy, and with assistance from the Department of Social Services, the Income-Qualified Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Task Force to determine barriers to access and enrollment in the current energy efficiency programs for income-qualified energy customers and to evaluate and develop a plan to address any necessary improvements regarding coordination among state and federal government agencies for utility services and resources to more effectively deliver energy-efficient housing, weatherization resources, and energy efficiency upgrades for income-qualified individuals and households in the Commonwealth. The bill requires the Task Force to meet at least six times between July 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027, and to submit a report of its findings and recommendations no later than September 30, 2027. The bill specifies that such report shall include policy recommendations and a plan to ensure that weatherization-ready repairs and whole-home energy efficiency retrofits are provided to all eligible income-qualified individuals and households in the Commonwealth residing in multifamily buildings, single-family dwellings, and manufactured homes by December 31, 2034. This bill is identical to HB 3.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Nov 17, 2025
Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
Enrolled
→
Chaptered
·
2 edits
MINOR
The bill was finalized and assigned Chapter 541, with the approval date updated to April 13, 2026. The core policy remains the creation of a Task Force to improve energy efficiency programs for low-income households, with a report due by September 30, 2027.
Scope change
No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; changes are limited to finalization details.
TIMELINE
The approval date was updated to April 13, 2026, reflecting the final passage of the act.
TECHNICAL
The header was updated to include the specific chapter number (Chapter 541) and the session year (2026).
Floor votes · Senate Feb 11, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026
How they voted
39–0
Passed
Total votes 39
Feb 11, 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
35
Key actions
13
Committee
7
Amendments
3
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 541 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB5ER)
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
House amendment agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House with amendment (72-Y 24-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by House as amended
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
committee amendment agreed to
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s) (16-Y 5-N)
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate subcommittee offered
upper
Jan 21, 2026
Committee
Assigned GL&T sub: Housing
upper
Nov 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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