VirginiaHB5912026 Regular SessionHouse

Data centers; policy of the Commonwealth.

Sponsored By: Shelly A. Simonds (Democratic)

In Committee

Summary

Policy of the Commonwealth; data centers. Provides that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to encourage the responsible operation of data centers in the Commonwealth while supporting grid reliability, affordability, and the deployment of renewable resources. The bill provides that in furtherance of this policy, the Commonwealth shall (i) promote coordination between data centers, state agencies, and regional grid operators to share information on energy usage, interconnection timelines, and barriers to rapid deployment of renewable and flexible energy resources; (ii) incentivize data centers to participate in demand response programs, implement energy storage and management systems, and leverage automated technologies to reduce peak demand and support grid stability; (iii) encourage flexible energy practices that allow data centers to adjust energy consumption in real time in alignment with available renewable generation; (iv) ensure large-scale data centers pay their fair share of infrastructure investments, mitigating impacts on residential and small business ratepayers; (v) require data centers to report water and aggregated energy usage, sustainability measures, and participation in grid support programs to appropriate state and federal agencies; and (vi) promote cybersecurity, physical security, and supply chain security measures to protect Virginia data center operations from foreign adversary access or compromise.

Finance and Appropriations

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Shelly A. Simonds

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 106 • No: 48

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 11 • No: 4

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Continued to 2027 in Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 62 • No: 34

House vote 2/12/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s)

Yes: 13 • No: 7

House vote 2/10/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)

Yes: 6 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Continued to 2027 in Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)

    3/9/2026Senate
  2. Reported from Commerce and Labor and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (11-Y 4-N)

    3/9/2026Senate
  3. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

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

    2/18/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB591)

    2/17/2026House
  6. Read third time and passed House (62-Y 34-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  7. Engrossed by House as amended

    2/16/2026House
  8. committee amendments agreed to

    2/16/2026House
  9. Read second time

    2/16/2026House
  10. Read first time

    2/15/2026House
  11. Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s) (13-Y 7-N)

    2/12/2026House
  12. House subcommittee offered

    2/10/2026House
  13. Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (6-Y 3-N)

    2/10/2026House
  14. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB591)

    2/3/2026House
  15. Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3

    1/20/2026House
  16. Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

    1/13/2026House
  17. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103960D

    1/13/2026House

Bill Text

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