Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee to prepare North Dakota legislators for 2027 session
North Dakota has formed a new Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee to educate state legislators for the upcoming 2027 session. Chaired by Sen. David Hogue, the committee will focus on the economic opportunities and infrastructure challenges posed by data centers, including energy consumption and land use considerations. This initiative aims to develop legislative expertise and prepare future bill drafts.
North Dakota has established an interim Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee to prepare state legislators for the 2027 session. State Senator David Hogue, chairman of Legislative Management, announced the committee's formation on June 25, emphasizing the urgent need for lawmakers to understand the rapid developments in AI and data centers. Hogue noted that AI's legal framework is currently "unsettled" at the national level, leaving states to address associated issues.
The committee, comprising 10 legislators and two citizen experts, will delve into various aspects, including the economic opportunities and infrastructure challenges created by data centers. Key focus areas will include energy grid impacts, land use considerations, and other community-level effects.
Representative Johnathan Warrey, who will chair the new committee, indicated that they plan to meet three to five times before submitting a report and draft legislation to Legislative Management by November. The initiative aims to equip North Dakota's lawmakers with the necessary expertise to craft informed policies regarding the burgeoning AI and data center industries.