All Roll Calls
Yes: 363 • No: 139
Sponsored By: Joshua E. Thomas (Democratic)
Became Law
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.
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2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
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.
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.
Joshua E. Thomas
Democratic • House
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
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
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0567)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 567 (effective 7/1/2026)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Signed by Speaker
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB153ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Conference report agreed to by Senate (29-Y 10-N 0-A)
Conference report agreed to by House (93-Y 2-N 0-A)
Conference Report released
House Conferees: Thomas, Convirs-Fowler, Wyatt
Conferees appointed by House
House acceded to request
Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 98-N 0-A)
Senate insisted on substitute
Conferees appointed by Senate
Senate Conferees: Roem, Srinivasan, Stanley
Senate requested conference committee
Passed Senate with substitute (26-Y 14-N 0-A)
Local Government Substitute agreed to
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
Read third time
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Chaptered
4/13/2026
Enrolled
3/30/2026
Conference Report
3/13/2026
Substitute
3/2/2026
Substitute
1/23/2026
Substitute
1/22/2026
Introduced
1/6/2026
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