As Gov. Abigail Spanberger readied to take the oath of office, Democrats in the majority of both houses of the Virginia General Assembly were already working to advance their legislative priorities.
The moves on January 8, the first day of the session, included a passel of legislation. The initiatives included regulations on the burgeoning data center industry as well as redistricting measures.
Data Centers
Several bills in the new session address the expansion of data centers. Some argue they create jobs, but other point to their tremendous use of energy resources, which can affect rates for households.
One bill, HB155, would put the State Corporation Commission in charge of reviewing the impact any data center expansion would have on energy usage and rates for the rest of the commonwealth.
“Localities don’t look at the grid,” Julie Bolthouse, director of land use with the Piedmont Environmental Council, told Virginia Public Media. “They don’t really have the ability or the purview to look at grid infrastructure or ratepayer impacts, or any of these other regional implications on air quality.” Air quality can be affected by the backup generators, mostly diesel, that data centers keep in reserve. There’s a bill to address those, too.
Another bill, HB503, would prohibit rate increases tied to data center demand unless the increase was limited to data center customers.
Democrats are also looking at tax breaks — a significant economic development issue — for data centers. These have totaled more than $2.7 billion over the past decade, according to the Assembly’s nonpartisan research agency. No specific bills have been filed yet.
In his final State of the Commonwealth Address, outgoing Gov. Glenn Youngkin implored lawmakers, “Don’t drive away data centers.”
Redistricting
The Assembly passed a constitutional amendment creating an exception to the nonpartisan redistricting commission. This allows Virginia to redraw its congressional district lines in time for the 2026 midterms instead of waiting until after the 2030 census.
The amendment requires voter approval and will be on the ballot in November. The move comes after several states, at the behest of President Donald Trump, have redrawn their district lines. Several Democratic-majority states, including California, have passed or are considering similar measures.
Other Constitutional Amendments
The Assembly has also passed an amendment to the state constitution that would enshrine reproductive rights in the constitution. Virginia is currently the southernmost state in the country that hasn’t recently passed extra restrictions on abortion.
Also on the first day of the session, both the House and Senate voted to strike language from the constitution banning same-sex marriage. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled such bans unconstitutional in 2015, but recent comments by justices, particularly Clarence Thomas, have had states moving to protect marriage rights.
Another constitutional amendment returns the right to vote to people who have been convicted of felonies once they’ve completed their sentences. Virginia is one of the few states left that requires convicted felons to apply to have their rights restored.
The final step for all three amendments is adoption by voters on the November ballot.
Youngkin’s Farewell
Glenn Youngkin capped his term as Virginia’s governor last week with his final State of the Commonwealth Address. He told lawmakers that his proudest accomplishments included an increase of $157 billion in business investment, including more than 20,000 high-tech startups.
He called for the preservation of so-called “right to work” laws with “no amendments, no reforms, no changes.” Such laws give workers the right to enjoy the benefits of union membership without paying dues. Union activists say the move drains unions of the resources they need to protect workers.
Youngkin also touted increases in teacher pay and the construction of lab schools.
He implored Virginia not to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and to undo the Virginia Clean Economy Act, saying that they would drive businesses and residents from the commonwealth.
His theme was “Made in Virginia,” and he concluded by telling lawmakers that “America was made in Virginia.”
