FloridaSB 4842026Senate

Data Centers

Sponsored By: Avila, Clay Yarborough (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationRegulated IndustriesCommunity AffairsRulesHouse Calendar

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Utilities can cut large loads in emergencies

Beginning July 1, 2026, utility contracts and rules cannot block or hinder cuts to service for large electricity users. This applies during emergencies or other exceptional events to steady the grid, limit wider outages, or protect public safety.

Large electricity users pay their costs

Beginning July 1, 2026, utility rate rules must ensure large electricity users pay their full service costs. These include connections, added power generation and transmission, infrastructure, and operating costs; other customers cannot bear these costs or unpaid-bill risks. The rules cover expected monthly peak demand of at least 50 megawatts at one location, measured over a 15-minute interval. Shared-site loads count together, separate locations do not, and customers cannot split connections at one site to escape the rules. Approved tools include construction contributions or customer investments that may be returned over time, demand charges including minimum charges, added-generation charges, financial guarantees, minimum load factors, payments for reserved capacity whether used or not, and minimum contract terms with early-exit penalties. Each Florida public utility must submit compliant rate rules to the Public Service Commission by October 1, 2026.

Communities keep control over large-user sites

Local governments keep their planning and land-use authority over large electricity users. These customers cannot be treated as electric substations under the covered planning rules. The rule covers customers meeting the law's large-load definition, generally at least 50 megawatts of expected peak demand at one site.

Certain foreign customers barred from electricity

Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida public utilities cannot knowingly serve large electricity customers defined as foreign entities under this law. Utility rate rules must include reasonable steps to prevent that service. The ban applies only to entities covered by the law's definition, not all foreign customers.

Data center plans lose secrecy extensions

Beginning July 1, 2026, data center location, relocation, and expansion plans remain eligible for up to 12 months of confidentiality. Economic development agencies cannot grant these plans the additional 12-month extension available to other eligible businesses. After a final project order, confidentiality lasts no more than 180 days and cannot exceed the original deadline.

Data centers face water safeguards and hearings

Beginning July 1, 2026, these rules cover data centers with expected peak electricity demand of at least 50 megawatts. Water agencies must approve allocations when applicants prove the use is reasonable and beneficial, protects existing legal uses, and serves the public interest. Agencies cannot approve uses that harm local water resources or violate local zoning or comprehensive plans. A hearing is required before a large data center's water permit is approved. Permit changes follow the initial application process if they involve at least 100,000 gallons per day or come from a large data center; covered data center changes also require a hearing.

Data centers must conserve and reuse water

Beginning July 1, 2026, large data centers must replace some or all proposed surface-water or groundwater use with reclaimed water when required conditions hold. A permitted, suitable supply and accessible lines with enough capacity and quality must be available at the property boundary. Reuse must be environmentally, economically, and technically feasible, without conflicting with an applicable surface-water discharge permit. Applications seeking average flows of at least 100,000 gallons per day must list water sources, amounts, and losses for cooling, industrial and treatment processes, employees, and landscaping. They must include plans to recycle cooling water before disposal, detect and fix leaks, install efficient fixtures, and teach employees conservation.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Community Affairs
Affiliation unavailable
Don Gaetz
Republican • Senate
Rules
Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 200 • No: 22

Senate vote • 3/13/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 31 • No: 6

House vote • 3/11/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 92 • No: 16

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/17/2026

Rules Vote

Yes: 24 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/3/2026

Community Affairs Vote

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/20/2026

Regulated Industries Vote