Virginia Senate passes housing, safety and data-center bills; high-energy facility zoning measure fails

RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Senate on Jan. 30 took final action on a slate of bills affecting housing policy, pedestrian and intersection safety, and data-center siting, and unanimously approved an expansion of vacatur relief for survivors of human trafficking.

The most contested vote of the day rejected Senate Bill 899, a permissive measure that would have allowed localities to require proposed high-electric-demand facilities — often data centers — to submit water-use information as part of zoning or special-use permit reviews. The bill failed, 13-26.

The Senate approved several other measures the same day, including a bill to give localities authority to review site assessments and buffer impacts when high-energy facilities are proposed near homes or schools (Senate Bill 149), legislation clarifying local planning documents may include accessory dwelling units and permitting consideration of tiny-home development (Senate Bill 932), and a pedestrian- and stop-sign monitoring measure (Senate Bill 1233). Lawmakers also passed Senate Bill 1460 to enlarge vacatur relief available to survivors of human trafficking. Many additional bills were adopted in a single block vote.

Why it matters: The votes reflect competing local-government priorities — greater transparency for communities near large data centers versus industry and some local officials’ concerns about burdens on development — as well as continued legislative attention to housing supply and traffic safety. The unanimous vacatur vote marks a policy change intended to reduce barriers to services for trafficking survivors.

Senate Bill 899: failed request for pre-zoning water-use disclosures

Senator Stewart (King George) sponsored Senate Bill 899 and framed it as an information-access measure intended to address community concern about water withdrawals for cooling. "When you don't know something, you tend to be afraid of it," Stewart said on the floor, urging that local supervisors be allowed to request water-use estimates so constituents can better understand potential impacts. Despite that, the Senate voted 13 in favor and 26 opposed; the bill failed.

Senator Roem (Western Prince William), speaking in favor of the procedural posture of the bill, emphasized the measure’s link to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) recommendations on data centers and noted the bill was permissive rather than mandatory.

Senate Bill 149: site-assessment authority for high-energy facilities passes

Senator Evan (Alexandria) carried Senate Bill 149, which directs project developers to conduct and submit a site assessment for high-energy-use facilities proposed within 500 feet of homes or schools and allows local governments to evaluate potential impacts on water, agricultural land, parks, historic sites and tree cover. The Senate approved the bill 33-6. Evan said the measure "strikes a reasonable balance, empowering localities to make informed decisions as they manage responsible development."

Senate Bill 1233: pedestrian and stop-sign monitoring devices approved

Senator Williams-Graves (Norfolk) spoke in support of Senate Bill 1233, which authorizes local law enforcement to deploy stop-sign and pedestrian-crossing monitoring systems as civil-enforcement tools and requires a sworn officer to review any alleged violation before a civil penalty is issued. Williams-Graves cited crash statistics: more than 80,000 crashes in the first three quarters of 2024, with about 10% occurring at stop-sign intersections, and said the measure aims to "improve public safety and save lives." The Senate approved SB 1233, 24-15.

Senate Bill 932: accessory dwelling units and tiny-home authority passes

Senator Saleem (Central Fairfax County) described Senate Bill 932 as a clarifying bill allowing local comprehensive plans to include accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Senator Stanley (Franklin County) noted the bill also explicitly permits localities to consider tiny-home developments (approximately 400 square feet) as part of local zoning approaches to affordable housing. The Senate passed SB 932, 30-10.

Senate Bill 1460: vacatur expansion for human-trafficking survivors

Senator Locke (Hampton) sponsored Senate Bill 1460, which expands the list of offenses for which survivors of human trafficking may petition for vacatur or expungement. Locke said the bill aims to remove barriers — to housing, counseling, education and employment — that criminal records create for survivors. The measure passed unanimously, 40-0.

Votes at a glance (selected bills with recorded final outcomes)

- Senate Bill 1219 (legislative compensation commission; third reading) — Passed, 37-2. - Senate Bill 1233 (pedestrian crossing and stop-sign violation monitoring; civil penalties) — Passed, 24-15. - Senate Bill 932 (accessory dwelling units; comprehensive plan clarification; tiny homes) — Passed, 30-10. - Senate Bill 899 (zoning, high electric demand facility water-use disclosures) — Failed, 13-26. - Senate Bill 974 (subdivision/site-plan review by designated agent) — Passed, 35-5. - Senate Bill 149 (siting/site assessment for high-energy-use facilities) — Passed, 33-6. - Senate Bill 1460 (writ of vacatur expansion for human-trafficking survivors) — Passed, 40-0. - Senate Bill 1476 (derelict property remedy requested by a locality) — Passed, 32-8. - Block vote (Senate Bills 741, 920, 1024, 1056, 1057, 1067, 1082, 1144, 1147, 1158, 1164, 1207, 1208, 1218, 1231, 1275, 1327, 1371, 1436, 1473) — Passed, 40-0.

What was discussion vs. decision: The record shows extended floor remarks on SB 1233 (traffic-safety statistics and law-enforcement review requirements), SB 932 (housing supply, tiny homes, and local zoning discretion), SB 899 (water-use concerns for data centers), and SB 149 (site-assessment and buffers). Formal actions — motions to pass, votes and tallies — are included above. Several bills were advanced or engrossed without floor debate; a large block of bills was passed in a single vote.

Context and next steps

Bills that passed now proceed to the next steps required by the legislative process (enactment steps include concurrence by the House when required and the governor's action). Measures described as permissive — such as SB 149 and the failed SB 899 — leave discretion to local governments to adopt implementing ordinances or practices. Several bills passed with clear legislative findings or study references (for example, the JLARC study on data centers was cited during debate).

The Senate also paused briefly for memorial remarks and to note an ongoing federal investigation into a mid‑air collision near Reagan National Airport; senators asked colleagues and the public to hold the victims and first responders in mind. The next Senate session day and committee meeting schedule were announced from the floor.