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Bill

HB 242

Public utilities; budget plan payment increases.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nadarius Clark and 10 co-sponsors

HB 242 allows Virginia public utilities to adjust customer budget plan payments, with unanimous House passage indicating broad bipartisan support for the regulatory change.

Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
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Bill Summary · HB 242

Legislative bill overview

HB 242 modifies Virginia's public utilities regulatory framework to allow for adjusted budget plan payment increases. The bill has already passed the House with unanimous support and is currently under review by the Commerce and Labor Committee following its constitutional reading.

Why is this important

Budget billing plans allow utility customers to pay fixed monthly amounts rather than fluctuating bills, providing payment predictability. Changes to how these payments can be adjusted directly affect household utility costs and the financial obligations of residential and small business customers across Virginia.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of increase authority – The bill's specific parameters for what constitutes an allowable increase and who has authority to approve them remain unclear from basic legislative information
  • Consumer protection measures – Questions about whether adequate notice, appeal processes, or rate-increase caps are included to protect vulnerable populations
  • Utility company incentives – Whether the provision benefits utilities more than customers by allowing faster cost recovery or if it includes offsetting consumer protections

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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