HB 323 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Data centers; Department of Energy shall lead efforts to accelerate use of waste heat, report.

Summary

Department of Energy; use of waste heat from data centers; findings and recommendations; work group; report. Directs the Department of Energy to lead efforts to accelerate the use of waste heat from data centers in the Commonwealth by making certain findings and recommendations and convening a work group to provide expertise, assistance, and feedback on the Department's efforts. The bill requires the Department to submit a report of its efforts, findings, legislative proposals, and recommendations no later than September 1, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Energy

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 11, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled → Chaptered · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was finalized and assigned Chapter 591 for the 2026 session. The primary substantive change requires the Department of Energy to submit its final report to the Chairs of the relevant committees rather than the committees themselves, a procedural adjustment that clarifies the point of contact. The deadline for this report remains September 1, 2026.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the Department of Energy's duties and the work group composition remains unchanged.

REQUIREMENT

The recipient of the final report was changed from the committees to the Chairs of the House Committee on Labor and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 4, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

How they voted

38–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 39

Mar 4, 2026

D Democratic20

20 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

18 Yea 1

94% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 13, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 591 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB323ER)

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Commerce and Labor (13-Y 0-N)

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time and passed House (97-Y 1-N 0-A)

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (22-Y 0-N)

lower

Jan 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

House subcommittee offered

lower

Jan 19, 2026

Committee

Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3

lower

Jan 11, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

lower

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors