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Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia HB 153

Data centers; site assessment, sound profile of the high energy use facility.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Cosponsors (9)

Summary

Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED

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 HB 511 and is identical to SB 94.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:06 AM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Mar 14, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 14, 2026
Senate		Adopt Conference Committee Report RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 12, 2026
House		H VOTE:failSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 12, 2026
Senate		Insist & Request RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 11, 2026
Senate		Passage RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 10, 2026
Senate		Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading)passSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 9, 2026
Senate		Reported from Finance and AppropriationspassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 2, 2026
Senate		Reported from Local Government with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Jan 29, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Jan 23, 2026
House		Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Jan 22, 2026
House		Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see

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