VirginiaHB4962026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Certain data from water users; water use consumption for domestic, etc., purposes, data centers.

Sponsored By: Elizabeth R. Guzman (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Certain data from water users; water use consumption for domestic, commercial, and industrial purposes and from data centers. Requires any water user required to register water withdrawal and use data to the State Water Control Board that provides water to another person offsite to include in its report, submitted on its regular reporting schedule, the total volume of potable water and, reported separately, the total volume of reclaimed water, as defined in the bill, provided during each month for each of the following categories: (i) a data center with an air permit issued by the Department of Environmental Quality and (ii) to the extent available without utility billing system modifications, (a) domestic purposes, (b) commercial and industrial purposes, separately or combined as available, and (c) all other non-categorized purposes. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027. This bill is identical to SB 553.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Regional planning help for localities

Beginning January 1, 2027, the Department of Environmental Quality coordinates regional water plans and ensures local partners work together. DEQ provides planning, policy, and technical help tailored to each region’s needs. When a local government asks in writing, the Board provides hands‑on help with drought plans, conservation programs, alternate water sources, drafting needed state laws, and federal grant or permit applications.

Special Potomac drought rules and plan

Beginning January 1, 2027, any area served by a utility that uses the Potomac River is a distinct drought region. Plans for that region follow the Metropolitan Washington Potomac drought plan, including its triggers, actions, and messages. The Governor’s emergency powers during a drought remain unchanged.

Water plans for every river basin

Beginning January 1, 2027, the State Water Control Board prepares water plans for each major river basin and some areas outside those basins. The Board publishes reports that estimate current and future water use, set drought flow needs, and assess risks to local and regional supplies. Reports also review public water systems’ ability to deliver safe, reliable water. The Board sets up advisory committees with agencies, localities, and interested groups to guide the plans. Each report includes recommended actions for state and local leaders and federal partners.

New water use registration and reporting

Beginning January 1, 2027, the Board can require water users to register if they take more than 1,000,000 gallons in any month for crop irrigation, or average over 10,000 gallons per day in any month for other uses. Registrants must report average and maximum daily withdrawals, sources, wastewater discharges, and exact locations. If you supply water offsite, you must report monthly gallons of potable water and reclaimed water by category. Categories include data centers with a state air permit and, where available without billing system changes, domestic, commercial and industrial, and other uses. Monthly figures may be filed quarterly when monthly data are not available. Reclaimed water is treated, reused water and must be reported separately from potable water in any public reporting.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Elizabeth R. Guzman

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 320 • No: 173

Senate vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 26 • No: 13

House vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 78 • No: 19

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

House vote 3/6/2026

Senate substitute rejected by House

Yes: 0 • No: 97

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Passed Senate with substitute

Yes: 25 • No: 15

Senate vote 3/4/2026

Local Government Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/3/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Reported from Local Government with substitute

Yes: 11 • No: 4

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 74 • No: 23

House vote 2/13/2026

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute

Yes: 20 • No: 1

House vote 2/6/2026

Continued to 2027 in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote 1/23/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 6 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0623)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 623 (Effective 1/1/2027)

    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 (HB496ER)

    3/30/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  9. Conference report agreed to by Senate (26-Y 13-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026Senate
  10. Conference report agreed to by House (78-Y 19-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026House
  11. Conference Report released

    3/14/2026
  12. House Conferees: Guzman, Lopez, Morefield

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

    3/12/2026House
  14. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/12/2026Senate
  15. Senate Conferees: Srinivasan, Marsden, Stuart

    3/12/2026Senate
  16. House acceded to request

    3/11/2026House
  17. Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  18. Senate requested conference committee

    3/10/2026Senate
  19. Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 97-N 0-A)

    3/6/2026House
  20. Passed Senate with substitute (25-Y 15-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  21. Local Government Substitute agreed to

    3/4/2026Senate
  22. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    3/4/2026Senate
  23. Read third time

    3/4/2026Senate
  24. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/3/2026Senate
  25. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/3/2026Senate

Bill Text

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