Bill > SB284

This bill seeks to establish new guidelines for the approval of data center locations in Virginia by requiring local governments to only approve land use applications for data centers that meet two specific criteria. First, the proposed data center must have a minimal impact on historic, agricultural, and cultural resources, which means the development should not significantly disrupt or damage existing historical, farming, or culturally important areas. Second, the data center cannot be located within one mile of a national park, state park, or other historically significant site as determined by the Department of Historic Resources. The bill defines a data center using an existing tax code definition (§58.1-3506), and it overrides any existing general or special laws that might currently govern data center siting. By implementing these restrictions, the legislation aims to protect important historical and cultural landscapes while still allowing for the development of data center infrastructure in Virginia.

Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?251+sum+SB284