2011 SESSION

Convened January 12, 2011 -

PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANIES

(P) Passed (F) Failed (V) Vetoed (I) Incoporated into other legislation

(C) Carried over from 2010 Session (CD) Carried over but died in committee on or before 12/2/2010

Agricultural net energy metering; creates a category of eligible customer-generators under program for operators of facilities. Amending § 56-594. (Patron-Toscano, HB 1685 (F))

Appalachian Power; Commission on Electric Utility Regulation to study alternatives to monopoly service provided in Southwest and Southside Virginia. (Patron-Wampler, SJR 145 (CD))

Automatic dialing-announcing devices; prohibits caller from using such device to make debt collection communication to subscriber, exceptions. Amending §§ 59.1-518.1 and 59.1-518.2. (Patron-Loupassi, HB 1436 (F))

Automatic dialing-announcing devices; prohibits use of making a call to subscriber registered with Do Not Call Registry. Amending § 59.1-518.2. (Patron-Bell, Robert B., HB 905 (CD))

Cable television system or telecommunications service provider; contracts with electric cooperative facilities for pole attachments. Amending § 56-466.1. (Patron-Janis, HB 1439 (F); Wampler, SB 890 (F))

Cable television system or telecommunications service provider; contracts with electric cooperative facilities for pole attachments, penalty. Amending §§ 18.2-162 and 56-466.1. (Patron-Landes, HB 2417 (F))

Cell phones; Virginia Tech Transportation Institute to study disincentives for use in motor vehicles. (Patron-May, HJR 621 (F))

Cell phones or other wireless telecommunications devices; prohibited use while driving, exception. Amending § 46.2-1078.1. (Patron-Watts, HB 1630 (F))

Commonwealth Energy Policy; State Corporation Commission to consider effect of proposed facility on economic development including economic and job creation objectives. Amending §§ 56-46.1, 56-585.1, and 67-101. (Patron-Miller, J.H., HB 1912 (Chapter 236))

Community and agricultural net metering; requires State Corporation Commission to establish a program. Amending § 56-594. (Patron-Toscano, HB 441 (CD))

Computer analysis; clerk may assess person a fee not to exceed $100 for each performed by a law-enforcement agency upon any criminal conviction. Adding §§ 16.1-69.48:1.02 and 17.1-275.11:1. (Patron-Gilbert, HB 2449 (Chapter 511))

Criminal street gangs; any person who, by telephone or by electronically transmitted communication solicits, etc., another to become a gang member guilty of Class 6 felony. Amending § 18.2-46.3. (Patron-McDougle, SB 530 (CD))

Death deeds; Virginia Bar Association to study merits of legislation authorizing transfer. (Patron-Hanger, SJR 349 (F))

Distributed solar generation demonstration programs; authorizes State Corporation Commission to consider approval for utility-owned distributed solar generation facilities. (Patron-Toscano, HB 1686 (Chapter 771))

Driver’s license holders, provisional; makes cell phone use while driving a primary offense. Amending § 46.2-334.01. (Patron-Barker, SB 1047 (F))

Electric energy efficiency standard; established. Amending §§ 56-585.1, 56-598, and 56-599; adding § 56-596.1. (Patron-Plum, HB 327 (CD))

Electric generation facilities; incentives for construction of using coalbed methane gas. Amending § 56-585.1. (Patron-Morefield, HB 2237 (Chapter 371); Puckett, SB 1392 (Chapter 380))

Electric utilities; inclining block rate schedules. Adding § 56-585.4. (Patron-McEachin, SB 907 (F))

Electric utilities; integrated resource plans. Amending §§ 56-597 and 56-598. (Patron-McEachin, SB 794 (F))

Electric utilities; reinstates part of system under which investor-owned were regulated. Amending §§ 10.1-1186.2:1, 10.1-1197.8, 10.1-1307.02, 15.2-1901, 15.2-2316.2, 30-201, 30-202, 30-205, 56-1, 56-231.24, 56-234.2, 56-235.1:1, 56-235.2, 56-235.6, 56-235.8, 56-238, 56-245.1:2, 56-249.6, 56-265.2, 56-598, 58.1-400.3, 58.1-2900, 58.1-3221.4, 58.1-3506, 58.1-3814, 62.1-44.15:21, 67-101, and 67-1100; adding §§ 56-240.1, 56-247.2, 56-250.1, and 56-250.2; repealing §§ 56-576 through 56-596. (Patron-Armstrong, HB 2117 (F); Reynolds, SB 883 (F))

Electric utilities; State Corporation Commission to enter its final order in biennial rate review proceedings not more than eight months after date of filing. Amending § 56-585.1. (Patron-Poindexter, HB 2125 (Chapter 367); Stanley, SB 1472 (Chapter 382))

Electric utility rate structures; State Corporation Commission to encourage investor-owned electric utilities to file tariffs with structures that reflect time of day and seasonal cost differentials. (Patron-Keam, HB 2270 (F))

Electric utility rates; added returns. Amending §§ 56-585.1 and 56-585.2. (Patron-Pollard, HB 1736 (F))

Electric utility regulation; excludes certain investor-owned electric utility. Amending § 56-585.1. (Patron-Merricks, HB 2514 (F))

Electric utility regulation; rebundles charges for transmission, etc., into base rates of investor-owned electric utilities. Amending §§ 15.2-1901, 56-231.24, 56-234.2, 56-235.2, 56-238, 56-249.6, 56-576, 56-578 through 56-581, 56-585.1, 56-585.2, 56-585.3, 56-590, 56-592, 56-593, 56-594, and 58.1-400.3; repealing §§ 56-577, 56-582, 56-584, 56-585, 56-586, 56-587, 56-588, and 56-589. (Patron-Armstrong, HB 2118 (F); Reynolds, SB 882 (F))

Electric utility service; postponement of termination if endangers customer’s health. Adding § 56-247.2. (Patron-Reynolds, SB 741 (F))

Electric utility service; State Corporation Commission to establish limitations on authority of electric utilities to terminate service if customers have serious medical condition. (Patron-Iaquinto, HB 2159 (Chapter 662); Reynolds, SB 1165 (Chapter 673))

Electric vehicle charging service; excludes certain persons from retail sale of electricity. Amending §§ 56-1 and 56-1.2; adding §§ 56-1.2:1 and 56-232.2:1. (Patron-Bulova, HB 2105 (Chapter 408))

Electrical transmission lines; to assist in approval of lines applicant shall summarize efforts to minimize adverse impact on scenic assets, etc., of area concerned. Amending § 56-46.1. (Patron-May, HB 2024 (Chapter 243))

Energy conservation; investor-owned electric utilities and natural gas distribution companies to provide information to customers to support and encourage conservation actions. Adding § 56-234.6. (Patron-Toscano, HB 1236 (CD))

Enhanced Public Safety Telephone Services Act; providers of mobile telecommunications services are required to collect wireless E-911 surcharge on all sales. Amending §§ 56-484.12 and 56-484.17. (Patron-Watkins, SB 238 (CD))

Erosion and sediment control; allows public service authorities to annually file specifications with Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board for construction of water and sewer lines. Amending § 10.1-563. (Patron-Ware, O., HB 1474 (F))

Erosion and sediment control plans; Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board may charge fees to cover costs associated with standard and specification review and approval. Amending § 10.1-563. (Patron-Ware, O., HB 1495 (Chapter 721); Edwards, SB 1064 (Chapter 720))

Handheld personal communication devices; repeals secondary enforcement provision of statute prohibiting texting, etc., while driving. Amending § 46.2-1078.1. (Patron-Spruill, HB 1489 (F); Kory, HB 1546 (F); Barker, SB 1042 (F))

Handheld personal communications devices; fines for texting while driving shall be doubled if committed within a highway work zone. Amending § 46.2-1078.1. (Patron-Sickles, HB 2307 (F))

Handheld personal communications devices; prohibits any use thereof while operating motor vehicle, bicycle, etc., penalty. Amending § 46.2-1078.1. (Patron-Howell, A.T., HB 1404 (F))

Income tax, state and corporate; credit for electric energy facility producing electricity primarily from agricultural livestock waste nutrients. Adding § 58.1-439.12:03. (Patron-Gilbert, HB 1341 (CD); Hanger, SB 678 (CD))

Income tax, state and corporate; tax credit for facilities using agricultural livestock waste nutrients to produce electricity. Adding § 58.1-439.12:06. (Patron-Hanger, SB 1101 (F))

Line of Duty Death and Health Benefits Trust Fund; established. Amending §§ 9.1-401, 9.1-402, 9.1-404, 9.1-405, 56-484.12, and 58.1-1730; adding § 9.1-400.1. (Patron-Englin, HB 661 (CD))

Low-income residential customers; investor-owned electric utilities to offer reduced rates. Amending § 58.1-400.2; adding § 56-236.3. (Patron-Armstrong, HB 2107 (F); Puckett, SB 1011 (F))

Net energy metering program; State Corporation Commission shall approve a supplier’s proposed standby charge methodology. Amending § 56-594. (Patron-Kilgore, HB 1983 (Chapter 239))

Political contributions; prohibition during procurement process, penalty. Amending §§ 2.2-3104.01, 2.2-4376.1, 56-573.3, and 56-575.17:1. (Patron-Gilbert, HB 2448 (Chapter 624); Surovell, HB 2460 (F))

Public procurement; state agencies and regional bodies to put requests for proposal and invitations to bid on Department of General Services’ website. Amending §§ 2.2-1110, 2.2-4301, 2.2-4303, 23-38.90, 23-38.110, 56-573.1:1, and 56-575.17. (Patron-Iaquinto, HB 1592 (Chapter 332))

Public utility lines; revamps procedure which a municipality may obtain approval to place lines across a railroad right-of-way. Amending § 56-16.2. (Patron-Carrico, HB 474 (CD))

Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002; review of proposals initiated by private entities. Amending § 56-575.3. (Patron-Stosch, SB 1127 (Chapter 308))

Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995; public entities shall provide notice of receipt from private entities for proposals submitted for review. Amending § 56-559. (Patron-Purkey, HB 1658 (Chapter 589))

Renewable energy incentives; created for development of renewable energy facilities in State. Amending §§ 2.2-1175, 2.2-4344, 10.1-1197.6, 56-576, 62.1-198, 62.1-199, and 62.1-203; adding §§ 2.2-4325.1 and 62.1-218.1. (Patron-Cosgrove, HB 2447 (F))

Renewable energy portfolio standard program; electric generation facilities fueled primarily by poultry litter or other animal waste will receive quintuple credit toward meeting goals. Amending § 56-585.2. (Patron-Gilbert, HB 1342 (CD))

Renewable energy portfolio standard program; electricity generated from combustion of coalbed methane gas to be counted by an investor-owned electric utility in meeting goals. Amending § 56-585.2. (Patron-Cosgrove, HB 2446 (F))

Renewable energy portfolio standard program; investor-owned electric utility and distribution cooperative to participate. Amending § 56-585.2. (Patron-Morrissey, HB 2353 (F))

Renewable portfolio standard program; forest products. Amending § 56-585.2. (Patron-Stuart, SB 875 (F))

Telecommunications devices; prohibiting use of obscene, vulgar language including electronic messages. Amending § 18.2-427. (Patron-Bell, Robert B., HB 2059 (Chapter 246))

Telecommunications services; eliminates certain requirements. Amending §§ 56-1, 56-88.1, 56-234, 56-235.1, 56-236, 56-237 through 56-238, 56-240, 56-241, 56-247.1, 56-248, 56-248.1, 56-249.2, 56-481.1, and 56-482.1; repealing §§ 56-265.4:3, 56-469 through 56-477, 56-478.1, and 56-481. (Patron-Hugo, HB 2367 (Chapter 738); Saslaw, SB 1368 (Chapter 740))

Telephone service; telephone company to provide credit to subscribers affected by any outage that exceeds four continuous hours. Amending § 56-1.3; adding § 56-483.1. (Patron-Scott, J.M., HB 1373 (CD))

Termination of water services; State Corporation Commission to conduct proceedings to establish limitations for those with a medical condition. Amending § 56-247.1. (Patron-Englin, HB 2297 (Chapter 500))

Tolls on Dulles Toll Road and Dulles Greenway; requires advance approval by local governing body of every county, city, etc., through which facility passes. Amending § 56-542; adding § 33.1-223.2:25. (Patron-LeMunyon, HB 1539 (F))

Transmission lines; State Corporation Commission, as a condition of approving, to establish certain conditions to minimize adverse environmental impact of right-of-way. Amending § 56-46.1. (Patron-May, HB 675 (CD))

Transportation, Chief Executive Officer for; abolishes office of Transportation Commissioner and replaces that position, powers and duties. Amending §§ 2.2-200, 2.2-204, 2.2-211, 2.2-229, 2.2-306, 2.2-2423, 5.1-1, 5.1-2.1, 5.1-7, 5.1-9.9, 5.1-30.9, 5.1-39, 10.1-1425.8, 15.2-968.1, 15.2-2030, 15.2-2222.1, 15.2-2272, 15.2-3530, 15.2-3534, 15.2-4832, 15.2-5114, 15.2-5146, 22.1-129, 25.1-108, 25.1-109, 25.1-209, 25.1-229, 33.1-1, 33.1-2, 33.1-3, 33.1-221.1:1.1, 33.1-221.1:8, 33.1-351, 33.1-391.2, 33.1-391.3:1, 33.1-391.5, 46.2-200, 46.2-206, 46.2-223, 46.2-224, 46.2-302, 46.2-373, 46.2-675, 46.2-819.1, 46.2-873.1, 46.2-877, 46.2-878, 46.2-881, 46.2-883, 46.2-930, 46.2-932, 46.2-1104, 46.2-1109, 46.2-1110, 46.2-1112, 46.2-1144.1, 46.2-1145, 46.2-1223, 46.2-1307, 46.2-1307.1, 53.1-58, 55-201.1, 56-27, 56-28, 56-29, 56-32, 56-366.1, 56-366.3, 56-369, 56-405, 56-405.1, 56-405.2, 56-406.1, 56-406.2, 56-458.1, 56-573.1, and 63.2-611; repealing §§ 2.2-228 and 5.1-2.3. (Patron-McDougle, SB 103 (CD))

Turnpike or ferry corporations; donation of capital stock. Repealing § 56-51.1. (Patron-Miller, Y.B., SB 895 (Chapter 429))

Underground transmission lines; extends scheduled expiration date of pilot program. Amending Chapter 799, 2008 Acts. (Patron-May, HB 2027 (Chapter 244))

Universal Broadband Deployment Act; establishes process for State Corporation Commission to certify priority rural broadband suppliers. Adding §§ 56-605 through 56-608. (Patron-Puckett, SB 1461 (F))

Utility cooperatives; electing members of board of directors by proportional representation. Amending § 56-231.44. (Patron-Sherwood, HB 383 (CD))

Utility facilities; relocation or removal thereof shall not be placed any closer to private residence. Amending § 33.1-69.2. (Patron-Morefield, HB 2469 (F))

Voltage regulation technologies; allows electric utilities to recover costs and earn a 15 percent rate of return on investments. Adding § 56-585.1:1. (Patron-Hanger, SB 344 (CD))

Water or sewer companies, small; those serving more than 25 customers to incorporate as public service company. Amending § 13.1-620. (Patron-Lingamfelter, HB 484 (CD))

Wireless E-911 Fund; amends procedure by which Wireless E-911 Services Board distributes funds. Amending § 56-484.17. (Patron-Watkins, SB 788 (Chapter 630))

Wireless E-911 Services Board; changes name to E-911 Services Board. Amending §§ 2.2-225, 2.2-2031, 56-484.12, 56-484.13, and 56-484.14. (Patron-Watkins, SB 787 (Chapter 138))

Wireless E-911 surcharge; definition. Amending § 56-484.12. (Patron-Janis, HB 2184 (Chapter 120))

Wireless E-911 surcharge; required to be remitted to Department of Taxation. Amending § 56-484.17. (Patron-Stosch, SB 1123 (Chapter 162))

Wireless telecommunications devices; extends prohibition on use in motor vehicles to talking on such device only when configured for hands-free operation and being used in hands-free mode. Amending § 46.2-1078.1. (Patron-Dance, HB 1424 (F))

Wireless telecommunications devices; prohibits answering a call on such device unless being used in hands-free mode. Amending § 46.2-1078.1. (Patron-Norment, SB 1351 (F))