All Roll Calls
Yes: 334 • No: 101
Sponsored By: Danica A. Roem (Democratic)
Became Law
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 incorporates SB 130 and is identical to HB 153.
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3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Local zoning power remains in place. The site study process does not change or replace the State Corporation Commission’s authority over utilities, and it does not give that authority to localities.
The law sets special review rules for large data centers that need 100 megawatts or more of power. Before any rezoning or special permit, the applicant must submit a site study. The study must, as practical and on the state review timeline, analyze noise on homes and schools within 500 feet of the site line. A locality may also require reviews of ground and surface water, farms, parks, registered historic sites, and nearby forestland. The retail electric utility must, to the extent known, file a form on any substations that will serve the site and the expected transmission voltage. Localities must use these materials to check the comprehensive plan and to enforce local noise, zoning, and other laws.
At sites with an existing legislative or administrative approval, adding up to an extra 100 megawatts does not trigger the new site-study rules. Expansions above that amount are not exempt.
Danica A. Roem
Democratic • Senate
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 334 • No: 101
Senate vote • 3/14/2026
Conference report agreed to by Senate
Yes: 29 • No: 10
House vote • 3/14/2026
Conference report agreed to by House
Yes: 91 • No: 4
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
Senate acceded to request Block Vote
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/27/2026
House substitute rejected by Senate
Yes: 0 • No: 39
House vote • 2/25/2026
Passed House with substitute
Yes: 80 • No: 14
House vote • 2/20/2026
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute
Yes: 15 • No: 6
Senate vote • 2/12/2026
Read third time and passed Senate
Yes: 21 • No: 18 • Other: 1
Senate vote • 2/11/2026
Committee amendments rejected (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/11/2026
Senator Roem Amendment #2 agreed to
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/11/2026
Reading of amendment #2 waived (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/11/2026
Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/4/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/4/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/3/2026
Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute
Yes: 10 • No: 5
Senate vote • 1/26/2026
Reported from Local Government with amendments and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
Yes: 8 • No: 5 • Other: 1
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0568)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 568 (effective 7/1/2026)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Signed by Speaker
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB94ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Conference report agreed to by Senate (29-Y 10-N 0-A)
Conference report agreed to by House (91-Y 4-N 0-A)
Conference Report released
House Conferees: Thomas, Convirs-Fowler, Wyatt
Conferees appointed by House
Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Senate Conferees: Roem, Srinivasan, Stanley
Conferees appointed by Senate
House requested conference committee
House insisted on substitute
House substitute rejected by Senate
Passed House with substitute (80-Y 14-N 0-A)
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
committee substitute agreed to
Read third time
Read second time
Committee substitute printed 26108333D-H1
Chaptered
4/13/2026
Enrolled
3/30/2026
Conference Report
3/13/2026
Substitute
2/20/2026
Amendment
2/11/2026
Engrossed
2/11/2026
Substitute
2/3/2026
Amendment
1/29/2026
Amendment
1/27/2026
Introduced
12/31/2025
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