Data Centers

Removed the requirement for economic development agencies to publicly disclose business activities related to data centers, allowing for greater confidentiality during negotiations.

Added a new requirement for the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to conduct an independent study on the construction and operation of large-scale data centers, including impacts on the economy, water, and energy.

Changed the deadline for public utilities to file compliant tariffs from March 1, 2027, to October 1, 2026.

Updated the definition of 'data center' in Section 288.075 to reference the definition in Section 373.203 instead of Section 112.231.

Modified the confidentiality extension provision to explicitly exclude information regarding data centers from receiving extended confidentiality periods.

New requirement for economic development agencies to disclose business activities related to data center location, relocation, or expansion, removing previous confidentiality exemptions for these specific projects.

Added detailed reporting requirements for economic development agencies to publish project information, including economic benefits, job creation, and state investment amounts after confidentiality periods expire.

Added specific penalties for economic development agency employees who violate confidentiality rules regarding data center projects, including misdemeanor charges.

Added new definitions and sections related to economic development program confidentiality and return on investment reporting that were not present in the earlier version.

Added a new provision stating that large load customers cannot be considered electric substations, preventing them from facing stricter interconnection requirements.

Strengthened financial security requirements by explicitly mandating that utilities minimize nonpayment risk through financial guarantees sufficient to protect the public.

Updated the description of cost-shifting provisions to explicitly include measures designed to minimize the risk of nonpayment.

Expanded the legislative committee oversight to include the Committee on Rules and added Senator Gaetz as a sponsor.

Added a mandate for public utilities to include provisions preventing service to large load customers that are foreign entities.

Changed the rule proposal deadline from January 1, 2027, to March 1, 2027.

Replaced a fixed compliance date with a relative deadline requiring utilities to file tariffs within 60 days of the final rule's adoption.

Clarified that the commission must develop minimum tariff requirements based on specific criteria including cost-shifting prevention and foreign entity restrictions.