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2019 SESSION

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Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor

Chairman: Frank W. Wagner

Clerk: Chad Starzer
Staff: Frank Munyan Chrissy Noonan
Date of Meeting: February 18, 2019
Time and Place: 15 min after Adjournment, Senate Committee Room A

H.B. 1840

Patron: Marshall

Electric utilities; pilot programs for transmission facilities serving megasites. Directs the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to establish pilot programs by Dominion Energy Virginia and Appalachian Power. The pilot programs will have the purpose of promoting economic development in opportunity zones of the Commonwealth by allowing each utility to complete the construction phase of electric transmission infrastructure for up to three business parks prior to the public announcement of a prospective occupant of the business parks. Electric cooperatives may also petition the State Corporation Commission to participate in the pilot. The measure authorizes a utility to recover the costs of the transmission facility through a rate adjustment clause. The provisions of this measure expire on December 31, 2023.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 56-576 and 56-585.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the establishment of a pilot program to facilitate the construction of electric transmission infrastructure for business parks.

19105532D

H.B. 2126

Patron: Davis

Health insurance; step therapy protocols. Requires carriers issuing health benefit plans that develop step therapy protocols for a health benefit plan to ensure that those step therapy protocols are (i) developed and endorsed by a multidisciplinary panel of experts that manages conflicts of interest among the members; (ii) based on peer-reviewed research and medical practice; and (iii) continually updated based on a review of new evidence, research, and newly developed treatments. The measure requires that when coverage of a prescription drug for the treatment of a medical condition is restricted for use by a carrier or utilization review organization through the use of a step therapy protocol, the patient and prescribing provider have access to a clear, readily accessible, and convenient process to request a step therapy exception. The measure establishes conditions under which a request for a step therapy exception shall be granted. The provisions of the measure shall apply to any health benefit plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2020.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 38.2-3407.9:05, relating to accident and sickness insurance; step therapy protocols.

19106082D

H.B. 2332

Patron: Keam

Electric utilities; protection of customer data. Requires the State Corporation Commission to convene and facilitate a Data Access Stakeholder group to assist the Commission in the development of draft regulations that (i) ensure the protection of the personally identifiable information of customers of each electric utility and (ii) provide mechanisms by which customers can access and obtain the customer's utility usage data as specified by the customer. The measure requires the Data Access Stakeholder group to conclude its work no later than April 1, 2020.

A BILL to require the State Corporation Commission to convene a stakeholder group on consumer data protection issues.

19106331D

H.B. 2691

Patron: O'Quinn

Electric utilities; provision of broadband services. Requires the State Corporation Commission to establish pilot programs under which Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power may submit a proposal to provide or make available broadband capacity to non-governmental internet service providers in areas of the Commonwealth that are unserved by broadband. The costs of Dominion Power's proposal are capped at $60 million annually. The provision of such broadband capacity is declared to be in the public interest. The measure authorizes the utilities to recover the net costs of the pilot program from customers through a rate adjustment clause. The measure authorizes such utility to become licensed to own or lease broadband capacity equipment. The measure requires the Commission to conduct proceedings to determine whether an area is unserved by broadband.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 56-585.1:8, relating to a pilot program for the provision of broadband capacity to unserved areas of the Commonwealth by certain electric utilities.

19105782D

H.B. 2723

Patron: Wilt

Portable electronics insurance; notices. Authorizes an insurer or vendor of portable electronics insurance to issue notices and correspondence by mail or by electronic means. The bill provides that a consumer's provision of an electronic mail address to such an insurer or vender shall be considered to be the customer's consent to receive notices and correspondence by electronic means so long as a disclosure to that effect is provided to the customer within 30 days following the purchase of portable electronics insurance.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 38.2-1877 of the Code of Virginia, relating to portable electronics insurance; notices.

19105210D

H.B. 2789

Patron: O'Quinn

Direct the establishment of energy conservation measures providing incentives for the development of electric energy delivered from sunlight. Requires Dominion Power and Appalachian Power Company to a seek approval for a three-year program of energy conservation measures providing incentives to low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals in an amount not less than $25 million in the aggregate for the installation of measures that reduce residential heating and cooling costs and enhance the health and safety of residents. The measure also requires the utilities to develop a program of energy conservation measures providing incentives, open to low income, elderly and disabled individuals who also participate in the above-described incentive program, in an amount not to exceed $25 million in the aggregate, for the installation of equipment to develop electric energy derived from sunlight. The measure provides that the utilities may provide such incentives directly to customers or to organizations that assist low income, elderly and disabled individuals. The measure directs that in developing such incentive programs, each utility shall give consideration to low income, elderly and disabled persons residing in housing that a redevelopment and housing authority owns or controls.

A BILL to direct the establishment of energy conservation measures providing incentives for the development of electric energy delivered from sunlight.

19105276D