Data center regulations in Virginia evolved further with the veto session of the 2025 Legislative Session, March 24, 2025. Gov. Glenn Youngkin elected to not sign HB 1601/SB 1449 — which would require data center site assessments — into law and instead sent the legislation back to lawmakers with the recommendation that it should not take effect unless it is re-adopted in the 2026 General Assembly Legislative Session. The practical effect would be to defer implementation of the requirements pertaining to data center sitings and site assessments.
The General Assembly rejected the governor’s recommendations. The governor has until May 2, 2025, to determine whether to veto or sign the bill, or allow the legislation to take effect without his signature.
The latest summary of legislative activity specific to the data center industry is available here.
