VirginiaSB5532026 Regular SessionSenate

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

Sponsored By: Kannan Srinivasan (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 HB 496.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Potomac drought planning rules for localities

Beginning January 1, 2027, the Board treats localities served by a utility that uses the Potomac River as a distinct drought region. Drought plans for this region use the 2000 Metropolitan Washington Potomac plan’s triggers, actions, and public messages. The Governor’s emergency powers still apply during a declared drought.

Statewide water plans and local help

Beginning January 1, 2027, the State Water Control Board must make water plans for each major river basin and other areas. Each plan lists current and future water use, minimum drought flows, and whether supplies can meet needs. Plans also rate shortage risk by locality and review options to manage demand and add supply. DEQ must help regions coordinate, give technical help, and make risks and fixes clear. The Board forms advisory committees and includes recommended actions for the General Assembly, agencies, and localities. If a city or county asks in writing, the Board provides drought, conservation, new-source, and grant and permit help.

New water-use reporting for big users

Beginning January 1, 2027, the Board can require annual reporting of last year’s water withdrawals for large users. Reporting applies to crop irrigation over 1,000,000 gallons in any single month, or to other use that averages over 10,000 gallons per day in any month. Reports must list average and max daily withdrawals, sources, wastewater discharge, and locations in the Board’s coordinate system. Users that supply water offsite must report monthly volumes of potable and reclaimed water, or quarterly if monthly data are not available. They must show water provided to data centers with a DEQ air permit, and, where available without billing changes, separate domestic, commercial or industrial, and other uses. Reclaimed water must be reported on its own and never combined with potable totals in public reports. These rules add reporting work for big users but give communities better data to plan for reliable water and droughts.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kannan Srinivasan

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 312 • No: 116

House vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by House

Yes: 74 • No: 22

Senate vote 3/14/2026

Conference report agreed to by Senate

Yes: 25 • No: 14

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Senate acceded to request Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/4/2026

House substitute rejected by Senate

Yes: 0 • No: 40

House vote 3/2/2026

Passed House with substitute

Yes: 81 • No: 18

House vote 2/25/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources with substitute

Yes: 18 • No: 3 • Other: 1

Senate vote 2/9/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 25 • No: 15

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/5/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/3/2026

Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute

Yes: 9 • No: 4 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0896)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 896 (Effective 1/1/2027)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB553)

    3/31/2026Senate
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026Senate
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB553ER)

    3/30/2026Senate
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026Senate
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB553)

    3/18/2026Senate
  11. Conference report agreed to by House (74-Y 22-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026House
  12. Conference report agreed to by Senate (25-Y 14-N 0-A)

    3/14/2026Senate
  13. Conference Report released

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

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

    3/12/2026House
  16. Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  17. Senate Conferees: Marsden, Srinivasan, Stuart

    3/9/2026Senate
  18. Conferees appointed by Senate

    3/9/2026Senate
  19. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB553)

    3/6/2026Senate
  20. House requested conference committee

    3/5/2026House
  21. House insisted on substitute

    3/5/2026House
  22. House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026Senate
  23. Passed House with substitute (81-Y 18-N 0-A)

    3/2/2026House
  24. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

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

    3/2/2026House

Bill Text

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