Skip to main content
Independent and nonpartisan. SaveYourState is a civic information resource. It is not a government website and is not affiliated with any government agency, party, or campaign.

Virginia · 2025 Regular Session · Bill

HB 1601: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.

Passed both chambers Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

HB 1601 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 3, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. Primary sponsor: Josh Thomas (Democratic). It lists 4 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (May 2, 2025): Vetoed by Governor.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

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 is identical to SB 1449.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 5

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Josh ThomasPrimary sponsorDemocraticHouse21
Betsy CarrCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse78
Josh ColeCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse65
Shelly SimondsCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse70
Vivian WattsCo-sponsorDemocraticHouse14

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Vetoed by Governor
  2. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 2, 2025
  3. Communicated to Governor
  4. Motion to pass in enrolled form rejected (51-Y 44-N)
  5. House rejected Governor's recommendation (11-Y 85-N)
  6. Governor's recommendation received by House
  7. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025
  8. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2025
  9. Signed by President
  10. Signed by Speaker
  11. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1601ER)
  12. Enrolled

Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source