S.F. No. 19 - Data Centers Bill Summary

• Establishes "data center" definition as a facility designed for 100+ megawatts load whose primary purpose is storage, management, and processing of digital data via information technology equipment.

• Creates "qualified large-scale data center" category with minimum $250,000,000 investment requirement within 60 months and mandates prevailing wage rates and green building certifications within 3 years of operation.

• Imposes annual fees on qualified large-scale data centers ranging from $2,000,000 to $5,000,000 based on peak demand (100-750+ MW), with revenue deposited into energy and conservation account for low-income programs statewide.

• Exempts qualified large-scale data centers and their electricity sales from renewable energy standards (solar and distributed solar requirements) for utilities serving fewer than 200,000 retail customers.

• Extends sales and use tax exemptions for enterprise IT equipment and computer software in qualified large-scale data centers for purchases through 2042, with certification by Department of Employment and Economic Development required.

• Requires water appropriation permits for data centers exceeding 100,000,000 gallons annually to include water conservation measures, efficient fixtures, recycling systems, and closed-loop technologies.