State Del. David A. Reid has introduced legislation designed to advance solar and battery energy storage growth by offering refundable state tax credits, the Virginia State House reports.
The measure, labeled HB1133 and put forth on Jan. 14, 2026, during the regular 2026 session, officially carries the title: “Virginia Solar Energy and Battery Energy Storage Systems Program; established.”
The following summary is based on a review of the official bill language and provides clarifications to explain its terms.
The proposal establishes the Virginia Solar Energy and Battery Energy Storage Systems Program, to be administered by the Department of Energy, allowing approval of residential, commercial, industrial and utility-scale ventures and setting forth which expenses qualify for a new state income tax credit. This bill provides refund credits covering 35% of eligible project expenses, with limits of $6,000 for residential, $2.5 million for commercial and industrial, and $5 million for utility-scale projects, all awarded when operational, with credits claimed incrementally over five years. The total credits each budget cycle are capped at $50 million, and a share is set aside specifically for both residential and nonresidential applicants. Eligibility must align with designated criteria in the federal Inflation Reduction Act, and the initiative prescribes public reporting via a regional dashboard. Implementation is slated for Jan. 1, 2027.
Rep. David A. Reid (Democrat-28th District) and Rep. Phil M. Hernandez (Democrat-94th District) co-sponsored the legislation.
Since the start of the session, Reid has put forward an additional 18 separate pieces of legislation.
Reid holds a BA from Northeastern Oklahoma State University, class of 1984.
Elected in 2024, Reid represents Virginia’s 28th House district, succeeding former delegate Tara Durant.
In Virginia, the legislative process starts with bill introduction in the House of Delegates or the Senate, advancing to committee for discussion and potential amendment. If approved, the bill proceeds to the floor of both chambers for debate and vote. Passage by both chambers sends the legislation to the governor, who can sign, veto, or permit the bill to become law without a signature. Each January, the Virginia General Assembly holds its regular session beginning on the second Monday, introducing hundreds of bills, though only a select number become law.
| Patron(s) | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| David A. Reid and Phil M. Hernandez | HB1133 | 01/14/2026 | Virginia Solar Energy and Battery Energy Storage Systems Program; established. |
| David A. Reid, John Chilton McAuliff, Michael J. Webert, Hyland F. “Buddy” Fowler, Jr., and Justin Pence | HB49 | 01/14/2026 | Pari-mutuel wagering; historical horse racing, percentage retained for distribution. |
| David A. Reid | HB141 | 01/14/2026 | Virginia Passenger Rail Authority; certain exemptions. |
| David A. Reid, Marty Martinez, and Gretchen M Bulova | HB182 | 01/14/2026 | High school graduation requirements; history and social studies credits. |
| David A. Reid | HB183 | 01/14/2026 | First-time home buyer savings plan; townhouses, principal limits. |
| David A. Reid | HB269 | 01/14/2026 | Motorized mobility vehicles; established as a new class of vehicle, civil penalties. |
| David A. Reid, Karen Keys-Gamarra, and Virgil Thornton | HB369 | 01/14/2026 | Electric utilities; renewable portfolio standard program, zero-carbon electricity, etc. |
| David A. Reid | HB370 | 01/14/2026 | Industrial/commercial use facilities; local authority on requiring water consumption in zoning ordinance. |
| David A. Reid, Dan I. Helmer, and Virgil Thornton | HB404 | 01/14/2026 | Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship and Memorial Program; scholarships, administration. |
| David A. Reid | HB406 | 01/14/2026 | Workers’ compensation; disability of law-enforcement officer, spousal wage replacement, report. |
| David A. Reid | HB409 | 01/14/2026 | Passing a stopped school bus; divided highways, access roads, and certain driveways. |
| David A. Reid | HB410 | 01/14/2026 | School boards; participation in SAT School Day program required, student participation. |
| David A. Reid | HB411 | 01/14/2026 | Commissioner of Highways; certain agreements with U.S. Department of Transportation. |
| David A. Reid | HB562 | 01/14/2026 | Electric cooperatives; authorized to establish and implement a virtual power plant program. |
| David A. Reid | HB563 | 01/14/2026 | Personal property taxation; establishes classification for major energy consumer equipment upgrades. |
| David A. Reid | HB564 | 01/14/2026 | Bus obstruction monitoring systems; parking, stopping, and standing enforcement. |
| David A. Reid | HB1127 | 01/14/2026 | Toll rate; increases State Corporation Commission duration and timeline for review. |
| David A. Reid | HB1130 | 01/14/2026 | Workforce housing for employees; county bd. of supervisor or school bd., lease of surplus property. |
| David A. Reid | HB1132 | 01/14/2026 | Data center tax revenue; creates local residential renewable energy incentive program. |
