Wisconsin Senate adjourns without a vote on data centers

Wisconsin lawmakers in the state Senate concluded their session without taking a vote on proposed statewide regulations for data centers, a decision that has prompted disappointment from both Democratic and Republican legislators. The Senate's inaction follows the Assembly's passage of its own data center regulation bill in January. State Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin, D-Whitefish Bay, voiced her frustration, calling it an "inexcusable failure on Republicans' part" and highlighting her extensive work on a data center accountability bill that involved input from utilities and environmentalists. Similarly, Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos expressed disappointment that the Senate did not advance the legislation, emphasizing the bipartisan concern across Wisconsin for "reasonable regulation" to control utility rates and prevent data centers from consuming agricultural land for renewable energy projects. With both legislative chambers now adjourned, any further action on data center legislation is likely postponed until next year, unless the governor's request for a special session on another matter leads to its reconsideration.