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SB135

Data Center Bill of Rights for Citizens

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 3:29 AM

In one sentence

This law defines large data centers, requires them to pay full electricity costs and report water use, allows local governments to regulate their construction, and sets rules to protect residential water supplies.

Defines a 'data center' as a facility that stores or processes electronic information with a peak power demand of ten megawatts or more.
Requires electric companies to create separate service terms so data centers pay for all costs linked to their energy use, including costs if they leave the system or reduce usage significantly.
Allows counties and cities to pass local rules that limit, ban, or regulate the building and running of data centers without state interference.
Requires data center operators to tell water providers how much water they plan to use before starting operations.
Requires the Board of Water Management to set limits on water use for data centers after ensuring enough water remains for homes and essential services.

The text does not specify an exact date when these new rules begin to take effect.
The bill defines large facilities but does not list specific penalties if operators break the water or electricity payment rules.
The law requires semi-annual reports on water use, but it does not detail what happens if a report is late or inaccurate.

Plain language

Data Center: A facility that stores or processes electronic information with a peak power demand of ten megawatts or greater.
Preempt: To stop local governments from making their own rules; this law says the state will not do this for data centers, allowing locals to set their own limits.

Official record

Source attached

protect residents from increased utility costs and utility shortages caused by data centers and clarify authority to regulate data centers.

Official activity