What is the status of HB891?

Chaptered as of April 22, 2026. Latest action: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1076) (April 22, 2026).

Irene Shin (D, 8), with 3 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB891?

On the Virginia Legislature website: https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB891

Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia HB891: An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-2316.9 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 7.3 of Chapter 22 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-2316.10, relating to siting of battery energy storage projects; commercial solar photovoltaic generation facilities; permitted accessory use.

Q: What is HB891?

HB891 is a bill in the Virginia Legislature (2026 Regular Session): An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-2316.9 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 7.3 of Chapter 22 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-2316.10, relating to siting of battery energy storage projects; commercial solar photovoltaic generation facilities; permitted accessory use.

Q: What does HB891 do?

In its own words: An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-2316.9 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 7.3 of Chapter 22 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-2316.10, relating to siting of battery energy storage projects; commercial solar photovoltaic generation facilities; permitted accessory use. [H 891] Approved April 22, 2026 1. That § 15.2-2316.9 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 7.3 of Chapter 22 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-2316.10 as land use approval. A. [DELETED: Nothing] Except a.

Status: Chaptered, April 22, 2026

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 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. This bill is identical to SB 443.

What the bill says

An Act to amend and reenact § 15.2-2316.9 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 7.3 of Chapter 22 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-2316.10, relating to siting of battery energy storage projects; commercial solar photovoltaic generation facilities; permitted accessory use. [H 891] Approved April 22, 2026 1. That § 15.2-2316.9 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 7.3 of Chapter 22 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-2316.10 as land use approval. A. [DELETED: Nothing] Except a.

From the enrolled text, April 22, 2026:

What the bill says

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