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HB 1372

Solar energy facilities; prevailing wage & apprenticeship requirements, state & local tax exemption.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Katrina Callsen and 4 co-sponsors

Virginia bill requiring solar facilities to pay prevailing wages and fund apprenticeships while exempting them from state and local taxes.

Continued to next session in Appropriations (Voice Vote)
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Bill Summary · HB 1372

Legislative bill overview

HB 1372 would require solar energy facilities in Virginia to comply with prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements while providing state and local tax exemptions for such projects. The bill applies labor standards typically associated with public construction projects to private solar development while simultaneously offering tax incentives to offset compliance costs.

Why is this important

Solar energy development is expanding rapidly in Virginia, and this bill addresses two competing policy goals: ensuring workers in this growing sector receive competitive wages and training opportunities, versus keeping renewable energy projects affordable and attractive to investors. The tax exemptions represent a significant revenue consideration for state and local governments while the wage requirements affect labor market dynamics and project economics.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and competitiveness: Prevailing wage requirements increase project costs substantially, potentially making Virginia solar projects less competitive with neighboring states and affecting renewable energy deployment timelines
  • Tax revenue impact: State and local tax exemptions reduce government revenue during a period when infrastructure and services demand may be increasing
  • Labor market scope: Whether prevailing wage rules should apply to private renewable energy projects (traditionally not subject to such requirements) versus only public projects
  • Apprenticeship feasibility: Establishing robust apprenticeship programs for solar work requires workforce development infrastructure that may not currently exist at scale

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

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