SB 802 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Clean energy and community flood preparedness; market-based trading program.

Summary

Clean energy and community flood preparedness; market-based trading program. Directs the Department of Environmental Quality and the State Air Pollution Control Board to establish and maintain a market-based trading program consistent with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative program, as defined in existing law, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generating units in the Commonwealth. This bill is identical to HB 397.

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 1 edit · Mar 5, 2026

MINOR

The bill transitioned from an introduced draft to an enrolled, final version, primarily involving formatting adjustments and layout changes rather than substantive policy modifications. The core provisions regarding carbon trading, revenue allocation for flood preparedness and energy efficiency, and reporting requirements remain identical in both versions.

Scope change

No change in the bill's scope or applicability; the subject matter and legal effect are unchanged.

TECHNICAL

The document format changed from a standard introduced bill layout to an enrolled act layout, including the addition of page numbers, chapter headers, and approval stamps, while the legal text itself remained consistent.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 5, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 2, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Feb 5, 2026

D Democratic20

20 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 13, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 921 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB802ER)

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed House (64-Y 35-N 0-A)

lower

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources (15-Y 7-N)

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)

upper

Jan 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (8-Y 6-N)

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Presented and ordered printed 26106046D

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor