SB 135 creates new regulations for large data centers (those using 10 megawatts or more of power) to ensure they pay the full costs of electricity and water service they consume, including costs to maintain infrastructure if they shut down or reduce operations. The bill also allows counties and municipalities to adopt their own rules limiting or prohibiting data centers in their areas, and requires data center operators to notify local water providers about their water usage plans before opening. These changes aim to prevent data centers from shifting their infrastructure costs onto other residents or causing utility shortages.
This bill does not directly amend codified state law.
The amendment reorganized the bill's structure by moving the water consumption requirements into an earlier section and clarifying electricity cost provisions to require data centers reimburse "fair, just, and reasonable" costs fairly attributed to their operations rather than using absolute prohibitions on cost allocation to residential customers. This STRENGTHENS the bill by establishing more detailed cost-accounting mechanisms and explicit water management oversight while maintaining the core protections against shifting data center infrastructure costs to residents.
The amendment adds a specific 10-megawatt minimum threshold to define what qualifies as a "data center" under the law, and removes the original requirement that data center operators pay all electricity costs upfront, replacing it with a more flexible cost-sharing arrangement between operators and electricity providers. This NARROWS the bill's scope by excluding smaller data centers while WEAKENING the original cost-protection mechanism for residents by allowing shared responsibility for electricity expenses.
The amendment converted the bill from its engrossed (House) version to its enrolled (final) version by removing draft formatting indicators and legislative processing notes, then adding official enrollment language, signature blocks, and filing provisions required for a bill that has passed both chambers. This is a procedural finalization with no substantive changes to the bill's actual requirements regarding data center regulation, utility cost allocation, and water consumption oversight.
Other amendments
Signed by the Governor S.J. 549
Delivered to the Governor S.J. 539
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 560
Signed by the President S.J. 525
Senate Concurred in amendments Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 1. S.J. 511
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 60, NAYS 7. H.J. 523
House of Representatives Remove from Consent Calendar H.J. 509
State Affairs Certified uncontested, placed on consent
State Affairs Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 11, NAYS 0.
State Affairs Motion to amend
State Affairs Scheduled for hearing
First read in House and referred to House State Affairs H.J. 416
Senate Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0. S.J. 343
Senate Motion to amend Passed, YEAS 30, NAYS 4. S.J. 343
Senate Deferred to another day S.J. 309
State Affairs Do Pass Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 4. S.J. 25
State Affairs Scheduled for hearing
First read in Senate and referred to Senate State Affairs S.J. 120
Prime sponsor · Sen.
R
Prime sponsor · Rep.
R
Concurred in amendments
Do Pass Amended
State Affairs — Do Pass Amended
Motion to amend
Do Pass Amended
State Affairs — Do Pass