How Florida aims to protect consumers from data centers. See the details
News ClipMiami Herald·FL·3/13/2026
The Florida legislature passed a bill aimed at protecting consumers from the impacts of data centers, requiring them to bear their own costs for electricity and water usage. However, the bill was weaker than some lawmakers wanted, as it removed a prohibition on local governments signing non-disclosure agreements with data center companies. The bill gives regulators tools to ensure data centers do not raise electricity costs for the public, and prohibits water management districts from issuing permits if the water use would be harmful. Some lawmakers expressed concern that more regulation is still needed to address the impacts of the proliferating data center industry in Florida.
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Gov: Florida Senate, Florida House, Florida water management districts
Florida lawmakers passed a bill to protect consumers from data centers, but it was weaker than what some had proposed. The bill prohibits local water districts from issuing permits if the data center's water use is harmful, and requires data centers to bear their own electricity costs. However, the House removed a provision that would have banned local governments from signing nondisclosure agreements with data center companies. The bill now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis, who has been critical of the data center industry. Lawmakers plan to revisit the nondisclosure agreement issue next session.