Solar facilities; local regulation. (HB508)

Introduced By

Del. Keith Hodges (R-Urbanna) with support from co-patron Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Local regulation of solar facilities. Provides that a property owner may install a solar facility on the roof of a dwelling or other building to serve the electricity or thermal needs of that dwelling or building, provided that such installation is in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located as well as any provisions pertaining to any local historic or architectural preservation district. Unless a local ordinance provides otherwise, a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility shall also be permitted, provided that such installation is in compliance with any height and setback requirements in the zoning district where such property is located as well as any provision pertaining to any local historic district. Any other proposed solar facility, including any solar facility that is designed to serve, or serves, the electricity or thermal needs of any property other than the property where such facilities are located, shall be subject to any applicable zoning regulations of the locality. The bill requires that any ground-mounted solar energy generation facility existing as of January 1, 2018, be deemed a legal nonconforming use, with certain exceptions. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2019, with respect to ground-mounted solar energy generation facilities. This bill is identical to SB 429. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Passed

History

DateAction
01/08/2018Impact statement from DHCD (HB508)
01/08/2018Committee
01/08/2018Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/18 18103843D
01/08/2018Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
01/09/2018Impact statement from DHCD (HB508)
01/17/2018Assigned CC & T sub: Subcommittee #2
01/25/2018Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment (7-Y 1-N)
01/25/2018Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendments (7-Y 1-N)
01/26/2018Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (21-Y 1-N) (see vote tally)
01/26/2018Committee substitute printed 18106085D-H1
01/30/2018Read first time
01/31/2018Read second time
01/31/2018Committee substitute agreed to 18106085D-H1
01/31/2018Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB508H1
02/01/2018Read third time and passed House (90-Y 6-N 1-A)
02/01/2018VOTE: PASSAGE (90-Y 6-N 1-A) (see vote tally)
02/02/2018Constitutional reading dispensed
02/02/2018Referred to Committee on Local Government
02/20/2018Reported from Local Government with amendment (12-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/22/2018Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/23/2018Read third time
02/23/2018Reading of amendment waived
02/23/2018Committee amendment agreed to
02/23/2018Engrossed by Senate as amended
02/23/2018Passed Senate with amendment (38-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/27/2018Placed on Calendar
02/27/2018Senate amendment agreed to by House (95-Y 2-N 2-A)
02/27/2018VOTE: ADOPTION (95-Y 2-N 2-A) (see vote tally)
03/01/2018Enrolled
03/01/2018Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB508ER)
03/01/2018Signed by Speaker
03/03/2018Signed by President
03/07/2018Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 7, 2018
03/07/2018G Governor's Action Deadline Midnight, April 9, 2018
03/29/2018G Approved by Governor-Chapter 495 (effective - see bill)
03/29/2018G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0495)