Bill Text: VA HB2355 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Solar energy generation facilities; consumer protection regulations.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-07 - Left in Commerce and Energy [HB2355 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2023-HB2355-Introduced.html

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23103554D
HOUSE BILL NO. 2355 Offered January 13, 2023 A BILL to direct the Department of Energy to convene a stakeholder work group to develop recommendations for consumer protection regulations regarding the sale or lease of solar energy generation facilities in the Commonwealth; report. ---------- Patron-- Glass ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. §1. The Department of Energy (the Department) shall convene a stakeholder work group to evaluate and develop recommendations relating to consumer protection regulations regarding the sale or lease of solar energy generation facilities that are under 25 kilowatts in capacity. The work group shall (i) evaluate current consumer protections in the Code of Virginia; (ii) consider requiring certain disclosures by companies engaged in solar energy sales, development, or lending operations in the Commonwealth; and (iii) develop recommendations relating to a formal complaint process, an investigation process for alleged violations, a process for issuing cease and desist orders against further violations, the imposition of fines, and rendering certain agreements or provisions of certain agreements void.

The stakeholder work group shall include representatives of the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, electric utilities serving residential customers in the Commonwealth, consumer protection advocates, residential solar advocacy organizations, solar industry stakeholders, and any other stakeholders as the Department deems appropriate. The Department shall permit remote or electronic participation for meetings of the work group, which may be held at any location in the Commonwealth. Department of Energy staff shall facilitate and document the proceedings of the stakeholder work group and submit a written report to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Commerce and Energy and the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor and make copies of such report publicly available on the Department's website no later than November 30, 2023.