HB1601
Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.
Status:
Passed
Latest Action:
April 2, 2025
House: Communicated to Governor
Chief Patron:
Josh Thomas (D)
Session:
2025 Regular Session
Summary
As Passed House of Origin. Siting of data centers; site assessment; high energy use facility.
Provides that prior to any approval of a rezoning application, special exception, 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 ... (More) of the HEUF on residential areas and schools 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) water, (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
- 01/03/2025 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-08-2025 25102219D
- 01/03/2025 - House: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
- 01/13/2025 - House: Assigned CCT sub: Subcommittee #2
- 01/15/2025 - House: Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
- 01/16/2025 - House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (5-Y 3-N)
- 01/16/2025 - House: Placed on Counties, Cities and Towns Agenda
- 01/17/2025 - House: Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (13-Y 9-N)
- 01/17/2025 - House: Impact statement from CLG (HB1601)
- 01/21/2025 - House: Read first time
- 01/22/2025 - House: Read second time
- 01/22/2025 - House: Counties, Cities and Towns Amendments agreed to
- 01/22/2025 - House: Engrossed by House as amended
- 01/22/2025 - House: Printed as engrossed 25102219D-E
- 01/23/2025 - House: Read third time and passed House (57-Y 40-N) Close Floor Vote
- 01/24/2025 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- 01/24/2025 - Senate: Referred to Committee on Local Government
- 02/10/2025 - Senate: Reported from Local Government with substitute (11-Y 3-N 1-A)
- 02/10/2025 - Senate: Committee substitute printed 25107109D-S1
- 02/11/2025 - Senate: Rules suspended
- 02/11/2025 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N)
- 02/11/2025 - Senate: Passed by for the day
- 02/12/2025 - Senate: Read third time
- 02/12/2025 - Senate: Reading of substitute waived
- 02/12/2025 - Senate: Local Government Substitute agreed to
- 02/12/2025 - Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
- 02/12/2025 - Senate: Passed Senate with substitute (26-Y 10-N 1-A)
- 02/14/2025 - House: Senate substitute rejected by House (Y-2 N-94 A-0)
- 02/18/2025 - Senate: Senate insisted on substitute (38-Y 0-N)
- 02/18/2025 - Senate: Senate requested conference committee
- 02/19/2025 - House: House acceded to request
- 02/19/2025 - House: Conferees appointed by House
- 02/19/2025 - House: Delegates: Thomas, Sewell, Morefield
- 02/20/2025 - Senate: Conferees appointed by Senate
- 02/20/2025 - Senate: Senators: Ebbin, McPike, Hackworth
- 02/21/2025 - Amended by conference committee
- 02/21/2025 - House: Conference substitute printed 25107870D-H1
- 02/21/2025 - Senate: Conference report agreed to by Senate (22-Y 13-N 1-A) Close Floor Vote
- 02/22/2025 - House: Conference report agreed to by House (55-Y 44-N) Close Floor Vote
- 03/07/2025 - House: Enrolled
- 03/07/2025 - House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1601ER)
- 03/07/2025 - House: Signed by Speaker
- 03/10/2025 - Senate: Signed by President
- 03/11/2025 - House: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2025
- 03/11/2025 - Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025
- 03/24/2025 - Governor's recommendation received by House
- 03/24/2025 - Governor's Recommendation
- 04/02/2025 - House: House rejected Governor's recommendation (11-Y 85-N)
- 04/02/2025 - House: Motion to pass in enrolled form rejected (51-Y 44-N) Close Floor Vote
- 04/02/2025 - House: Communicated to Governor
