“Voted N on Virginia HB 496, requiring monthly reporting of the potable and reclaimed water supplied to data centers”

The Virginia House of Delegates passed HB 496, which requires water users that register water withdrawal and use data with the State Water Control Board and that supply water to another person offsite to report, on their regular reporting schedule, the total monthly volume of potable water and, separately, reclaimed water provided to data centers holding a Department of Environmental Quality air permit, alongside domestic and commercial/industrial categories. Outcome: Passed the House of Delegates 74-23 (2 not voting). The bill later passed the Senate, was resolved in conference, and was approved by the Governor on April 13, 2026 as Chapter 623, effective January 1, 2027. Recorded vote: N. Body: Virginia House of Delegates. Measure: VA-2026-HB496.