Lawmakers approve school cell phone ban but punt on skill games, data centers
Pennsylvania lawmakers ended the legislative session without approving any data center development moratorium, despite widespread community opposition to proposed large-scale facilities. A three-year moratorium backed by Sen. Katie Muth remained among the measures left unresolved, while partisan disagreements prevented data center legislation from reaching Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Pennsylvania lawmakers approved a statewide student cellphone ban but failed to resolve several other major issues before the 2025-26 legislative session wound down, including proposals addressing data center development. Bills involving data center moratoriums did not reach Gov. Josh Shapiro, leaving no new statewide restrictions in place.
Opposition has grown in communities across Pennsylvania over proposed large facilities intended to support artificial intelligence workloads. Ginny Marcille-Kerslake of Food & Water Watch said lawmakers should enact a three-year moratorium proposed by Democratic Sen. Katie Muth of Chester County, but partisan disputes and pressure from special interests prevented the measure from advancing.