Plain English Breakdown
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SF4296 • 2026
Public hearings and certain disclosures prior to approval of data center development requirement
Public hearings and certain disclosures prior to approval of data center development requirement
Passed Legislature
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Bill History
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2026-03-18
House
Comm report: To pass as amended
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2026-03-09
House
Introduction and first reading
Official Summary Text
Public hearings and certain disclosures prior to approval of data center development requirement
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
A bill for an act relating to local government; requiring public hearings and certain disclosures prior to approval of data center development; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 462. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: Section 1. new text begin [462.3599] DATA CENTERS. new text end new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Definitions. new text end new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given. new text end new text begin (b) "Armed with a firearm" has the meaning given in section 326.32, subdivision 1a. new text end new text begin (c) "Armed with a weapon" has the meaning given in section 326.32, subdivision 1b. new text end new text begin (d) "Data center" means a facility composed of one or more buildings that has a primary purpose of providing for the storage, management, or processing of digital data. new text end new text begin (e) "End user" means the owner or operator of a constructed data center. new text end new text begin (f) "Municipality" means a county, home rule charter or statutory city, or town. new text end new text begin (g) "Security guard" has the meaning given in section 326.32, subdivision 13. new text end new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Public hearings required. new text end new text begin A municipality must hold at least two public hearings prior to the approval of a rezoning petition or an application for a conditional use or special use permit made for the construction of a data center. new text end new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin Disclosures required. new text end new text begin (a) At least one public hearing under subdivision 2 must be solely for the purpose of informing the public of the petition or application. The municipality must disclose the following information at least 48 hours before the public hearing: new text end new text begin (1) the name of the petitioner or applicant; new text end new text begin (2) the name of the anticipated end user of the proposed data center; new text end new text begin (3) the location and size of the proposed data center; new text end new text begin (4) if the data center is located within or abuts an area zoned for residential use, the estimated number of security guards employed to protect the data center site during and after construction and whether any security guard will be armed with a firearm or armed with a weapon; and new text end new text begin (5) the estimated scope of utilities necessary for operation of the proposed data center, including but not limited to fuel lines, sewer, stormwater, and electricity. new text end new text begin (b) Forty-eight hours before any public meeting held to vote on approval of a petition or application, the municipality must disclose the information required under paragraph (a). new text end new text begin (c) A municipality may make the disclosures required under this subdivision by posting the information on the municipality's website or by making the same information available for inspection at a reasonable time and place. new text end new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Effect of private agreements. new text end new text begin The disclosure requirements under subdivision 3 apply notwithstanding any nondisclosure agreement or other contract signed by a municipality or an agent of a municipality. new text end new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2026, and applies to agreements entered into before, on, or after that date. new text end