VirginiaHB3232026 Regular SessionHouse

Data centers; Department of Energy shall lead efforts to accelerate use of waste heat, report.

Sponsored By: Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31 (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Department of Energy; use of waste heat from data centers; findings and recommendations; work group; report. Directs the Department of Energy to lead efforts to accelerate the use of waste heat from data centers in the Commonwealth by making certain findings and recommendations and convening a work group to provide expertise, assistance, and feedback on the Department's efforts. The bill requires the Department to submit a report of its efforts, findings, legislative proposals, and recommendations no later than September 1, 2026.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Virginia pushes reuse of data center heat

The Virginia Department of Energy leads efforts to use waste heat from data centers. It identifies where this heat can serve residential, commercial, and public buildings, district heating systems, and industries that use low‑temperature heat. It shares information and helps link data centers with potential heat users. The Department reviews best practices elsewhere and drafts recommendations with estimated costs for needed infrastructure and programs. It convenes a work group with the Economic Development Partnership Authority, data center companies, local governments, gas and electric utilities, state agencies, potential heat users, and other stakeholders. The Department submits a report with findings and policy or legislative proposals to the Chairs of the House Committee on Labor and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor by September 1, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 314 • No: 1

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote 2/4/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 2/4/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 1

House vote 1/29/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 1/27/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0591)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 591 (effective 7/1/2026)

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

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026House
  5. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB323ER)

    3/12/2026House
  6. Enrolled

    3/12/2026House
  7. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB323)

    3/12/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/12/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/12/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/5/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/5/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/4/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/4/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Commerce and Labor (13-Y 0-N)

    3/2/2026Senate
  16. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB323)

    2/5/2026House
  17. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

    2/5/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/5/2026Senate
  19. Passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/4/2026House
  20. Reconsideration of passage agreed to by House

    2/4/2026House
  21. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 1-N 0-A)

    2/4/2026House
  22. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

    2/3/2026House
  23. committee substitute agreed to

    2/3/2026House
  24. Read second time

    2/3/2026House
  25. Read first time

    2/2/2026House

Bill Text

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