VirginiaHB1532026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Data centers; site assessment, sound profile of the high energy use facility.

Sponsored By: Joshua E. Thomas (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Siting of data centers; site assessment; high energy use facility. Provides that, prior to any approval of a rezoning application, special exception application, or special use permit for the siting of a new high energy use facility (HEUF), as defined in the bill, a locality shall require that an applicant perform and submit a site assessment to examine the sound profile of the HEUF on residential units and schools located within 500 feet of the HEUF property boundary. The bill also allows a locality to require that a site assessment examine the effect of the proposed facility on (i) ground and surface water resources, (ii) agricultural resources, (iii) parks, (iv) registered historic sites, and (v) forestland on the HEUF site or immediately contiguous land. The provisions of the bill shall not apply to a site with an existing legislative or administrative approval where an applicant is seeking an expansion or modification of an already existing or approved facility and such expansion does not exceed an additional 100 megawatts or more of electrical power. Finally, the bill provides that its provisions shall not be construed to prohibit, limit, or otherwise supersede existing local zoning authority. This bill incorporates HB 511 and is identical to SB 94.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Small data center expansions are exempt

The law does not apply to sites that already have an approval if the expansion adds 100 megawatts or less. For these smaller add‑ons, the new site assessment and utility notice are not required.

Local checks on large data center impacts

The law defines a high energy use facility as one expected to need 100 megawatts or more when applying. Before approval for a new site, the applicant must submit a noise study on homes and schools within 500 feet. A locality can also require review of effects on water, farms, parks, historic sites, and nearby forests. The serving electric utility must tell the locality which substations will serve the project and the expected transmission voltage, if known. Local governments must use these assessments to check plan fit and compliance with noise and zoning rules. These reviews do not change the State Corporation Commission’s authority, and local zoning power stays intact.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joshua E. Thomas

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 363 • No: 139

House vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 93 • No: 2

Senate vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 29 • No: 10

Senate vote 3/12/2026

Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

House vote 3/12/2026

Senate substitute rejected by House

Yes: 0 • No: 98

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Passed Senate with substitute

Yes: 26 • No: 14

Senate vote 3/11/2026

Local Government Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 10 • No: 4

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Local Government with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 13 • No: 2

House vote 1/29/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 90 • No: 7

House vote 1/23/2026

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute

Yes: 17 • No: 2

House vote 1/22/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0567)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 567 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  5. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB153ER)

    3/30/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  9. Conference report agreed to by Senate (29-Y 10-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026Senate
  10. Conference report agreed to by House (93-Y 2-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026House
  11. Conference Report released

    3/13/2026
  12. House Conferees: Thomas, Convirs-Fowler, Wyatt

    3/12/2026House
  13. Conferees appointed by House

    3/12/2026House
  14. House acceded to request

    3/12/2026House
  15. Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026Senate
  16. Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 98-N 0-A)

    3/12/2026House
  17. Senate insisted on substitute

    3/12/2026Senate
  18. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/12/2026Senate
  19. Senate Conferees: Roem, Srinivasan, Stanley

    3/12/2026Senate
  20. Senate requested conference committee

    3/12/2026Senate
  21. Passed Senate with substitute (26-Y 14-N 0-A)

    3/11/2026Senate
  22. Local Government Substitute agreed to

    3/11/2026Senate
  23. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    3/11/2026Senate
  24. Read third time

    3/11/2026Senate
  25. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/10/2026Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation