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HB153Introduced in the House of Delegates

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

Passed

Introduced by Joshua Thomas, District 21

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.

Official description

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.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0567)

April 13, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

5 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

6 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Conference report agreed to by Senate (29-Y 10-N 0-A) · March 14, 2026

29

Yes

10

No

1

Absent or Not Voting

40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker5Yes
Michael Jones77Yes
Timmy French1No
Mark Obenshain2No
Chris Head3No
David Suetterlein4Yes
Travis Hackworth5No
Todd Pillion6Yes
William Stanley7No
Mark Peake8Yes

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101337D

  2. Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

  3. Fiscal Impact statement From CLG (1/14/2026 12:13 pm)

  4. Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2

  5. House subcommittee offered

  6. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 0-N)

  7. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (17-Y 2-N)

  8. Committee substitute printed 26105995D-H1

  9. Incorporates HB511 (McAuliff)

  10. Read first time

  11. Read second time

  12. committee substitute agreed to

  13. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

  14. Read third time and passed House (90-Y 7-N 0-A)

  15. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  16. Referred to Committee on Local Government

  17. Reported from Local Government with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (13-Y 2-N)

  18. Committee substitute printed 26108996D-S1

  19. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 4-N)

  20. Rules suspended

  21. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

  22. Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

  23. Read third time

  24. Local Government Substitute agreed to

  25. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

  26. Passed Senate with substitute (26-Y 14-N 0-A)

  27. Senate substitute rejected by House (0-Y 98-N 0-A)

  28. Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  29. Senate requested conference committee

  30. House acceded to request

  31. Conferees appointed by House

  32. House Conferees: Thomas, Convirs-Fowler, Wyatt

  33. Conferees appointed by Senate

  34. Senate Conferees: Roem, Srinivasan, Stanley

  35. Senate insisted on substitute

  36. Conference Report released

  37. Conference report agreed to by House (93-Y 2-N 0-A)

  38. Conference report agreed to by Senate (29-Y 10-N 0-A)

  39. Enrolled

  40. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB153ER)

  41. Signed by President

  42. Signed by Speaker

  43. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  44. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  45. Approved by Governor-Chapter 567 (effective 7/1/2026)

  46. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0567)

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