Legislature approves regulatory framework for data centers as Florida tries to keep ahead in AI race

Data Center Secrecy Clears Florida Legislature

The Senate on Friday voted 31-6 on a bill (SB 484) that imposes restrictions on proposed data centers, including reinforcing the ability of local governments to refuse them. But the House previously amended the measure to allow local governments to enter into non-disclosure agreements with tech companies for up to 12 months that would hide data center proposals from the public. The post Data Center Secrecy Clears Florida Legislature appeared fir…

Legislature Approves Bill Placing Regulations on Data Centers, Sends Bill to Gov. DeSantis

Florida lawmakers on Friday gave final approval to legislation establishing a regulatory framework for large data centers, sending the measure to Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Senate voted 31-6 to pass SB 484 after taking up the bill with House changes adopted earlier this week. The measure sets new rules for local governments, public utilities and water regulators in handling projects with exceptionally large power demands, including major data-center…

Florida may remove public's right to know on data centers

Florida lawmakers passed a bill ensuring residents won't pay more for data center utilities, but removed public disclosure requirements.

Legislature approves regulatory framework for data centers as Florida tries to keep ahead in AI race

The Legislature has passed a new regulatory framework for data centers to be built in the state. The bill (SB 484) next heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. The Senate took up the legislation after the House approved the same bill with significant changes made this week. The upper chamber passed it 31-6. But language allowing economic development agencies to keep plans for major data centers secret for up to a year generated questions in the Senate…

Florida Senate half-heartedly agrees to final OK for weakened data center bill

The approved version would allow state agencies to sign non-disclosure agreements with companies.