Bill > HB641

This bill establishes "Virginia's Great Outdoors Act," which creates a new tax on data centers starting January 1, 2027, charging $3 per square foot of their facility footprint, with an exemption for facilities under 25,000 square feet. A significant portion of the revenue generated from this data center land conservation tax, at least $250 million annually starting July 1, 2028, will be dedicated to various land preservation and conservation efforts across the Commonwealth. These funds will be distributed to numerous programs and funds, including the State Park Conservation Resources Fund, the Virginia Land Conservation Fund, and specific allocations for infrastructure improvements on public lands, trail systems, and wildlife corridors. Additionally, the bill establishes the Virginia Tribal Commitment Fund to support Virginia tribes with nation building, cultural revitalization, and land acquisition, and allocates at least $500,000 annually to it from the data center tax revenue. The bill also repeals existing provisions that required the Governor to recommend appropriations from the general fund for land preservation, effectively shifting this funding responsibility to the new data center tax.

Budget and Finance

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB641