HB153
Data centers; site assessment, sound profile of the high energy use facility.
Status:
In Senate
Latest Action:
Jan. 30, 2026
Senate: Referred to Committee on Local Government
Chief Patron:
Josh Thomas (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. 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 ... (More) 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. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/06/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101337D
- 01/06/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
- 01/14/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact statement From CLG (1/14/2026 12:13 pm)
- 01/20/2026 - House: Assigned HCCT sub: Subcommittee #2
- 01/21/2026 - House: Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
- 01/22/2026 - House: House subcommittee offered
- 01/22/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 0-N)
- 01/22/2026 - House: Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
- 01/23/2026 - House: Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (17-Y 2-N)
- 01/23/2026 - House: Committee substitute printed 26105995D-H1
- 01/23/2026 - House: Incorporates HB511 (McAuliff)
- 01/27/2026 - House: Read first time
- 01/28/2026 - House: Read second time
- 01/28/2026 - House: committee substitute agreed to
- 01/28/2026 - House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute
- 01/29/2026 - House: Read third time and passed House (90-Y 7-N 0-A)
- 01/30/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- 01/30/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee on Local Government
