VirginiaHB16012025 Regular SessionHouse

Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.

Sponsored By: Joshua E. Thomas (Democratic)

Failed

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 is identical to SB 1449.

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joshua E. Thomas

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 331 • No: 345

House vote • 4/2/2025

Motion to pass in enrolled form rejected

Yes: 51 • No: 44

House vote • 4/2/2025

House rejected Governor's recommendation

Yes: 11 • No: 85

House vote • 2/22/2025

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 55 • No: 44

Senate vote • 2/21/2025

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 22 • No: 13 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/18/2025

Senate insisted on substitute

Yes: 38 • No: 0

House vote • 2/14/2025

Senate substitute rejected by House (Y-2 N-94 A-0)

Yes: 2 • No: 94

Senate vote • 2/12/2025

Passed Senate with substitute

Yes: 26 • No: 10 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/10/2025

Reported from Local Government with substitute

Yes: 11 • No: 3 • Other: 1

House vote • 1/23/2025

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 57 • No: 40

House vote • 1/17/2025

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s)

Yes: 13 • No: 9

House vote • 1/16/2025

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 5 • No: 3 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Vetoed by Governor

    5/2/2025Governor
  2. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 2, 2025

    4/2/2025Governor
  3. Communicated to Governor

    4/2/2025House
  4. Motion to pass in enrolled form rejected (51-Y 44-N)

    4/2/2025House
  5. House rejected Governor's recommendation (11-Y 85-N)

    4/2/2025House
  6. Governor's recommendation received by House

    3/24/2025Governor
  7. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025

    3/11/2025Governor
  8. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2025

    3/11/2025House
  9. Signed by President

    3/10/2025Senate
  10. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1601ER)

    3/7/2025House
  11. Enrolled

    3/7/2025House
  12. Signed by Speaker

    3/7/2025House
  13. Conference report agreed to by House (55-Y 44-N)

    2/22/2025House
  14. Conference report agreed to by Senate (22-Y 13-N 1-A)

    2/21/2025Senate
  15. Amended by conference committee

    2/21/2025
  16. Conference substitute printed 25107870D-H1

    2/21/2025House
  17. Senators: Ebbin, McPike, Hackworth

    2/20/2025Senate
  18. Conferees appointed by Senate

    2/20/2025Senate
  19. Delegates: Thomas, Sewell, Morefield

    2/19/2025House
  20. Conferees appointed by House

    2/19/2025House
  21. House acceded to request

    2/19/2025House
  22. Senate insisted on substitute (38-Y 0-N)

    2/18/2025Senate
  23. Senate requested conference committee

    2/18/2025Senate
  24. Senate substitute rejected by House (Y-2 N-94 A-0)

    2/14/2025House
  25. Passed Senate with substitute (26-Y 10-N 1-A)

    2/12/2025Senate

Bill Text

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