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 STRENGTHENS the bill's consumer protections by adding explicit language requiring data centers to pay "fair, just, and reasonable" costs for electricity and adding a new section imposing water consumption limits on data centers after allocating water to residential and essential public services. The changes shift from a prohibition-based approach to a more comprehensive regulatory framework that addresses both electricity cost-shifting and water scarcity concerns.
The amendment adds a specific threshold defining "data center" as facilities with "a peak demand of ten megawatts or greater," and removes language requiring data centers to pay all electricity costs upfront, instead requiring only that electricity providers establish separate terms for cost reimbursement—WEAKENING the bill's protections by narrowing the definition and softening the financial obligation on data centers.
This change converted the bill from its engrossed (House) version to its enrolled (final) version, which is a technical legislative step that adds standard enrollment certifications and signature pages rather than altering the bill's substantive provisions. The amendment maintains the original bill's purpose of protecting residents from increased utility costs and water consumption caused by data centers while preserving local regulatory authority.
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