South DakotaSouth DakotaLawSB 135

Data center utility cost protections

Protects residents from higher utility costs and shortages caused by data centers and clarifies regulators' authority over data center electric service.

In forceIntroducedCommitteeFloorLaw

Signed by the GovernorMar 30 7 months ago

Body: South Dakota Legislature
Session: 2026
Introduced: Jan 27
Votes: Senate 33-1 (concurrence), House 60-7
Sponsors: R (Republican)Republican
Topics: Data centers

Official page

Timeline

Mar 30 7 months ago
Signed by the Governor
Mar 10 8 months ago
Senate concurred in amendments 33-1
Mar 5 8 months ago
Passed House as amended 60-7
Feb 20 8 months ago
Passed Senate as amended 34-0
Jan 27 9 months ago
First read in Senate

Sponsors

R (Republican)Jon Hansen
R (Republican)Chris Karr

South DakotaHB 1038

PUC assessment of actual costs to data centers

Allows the Public Utilities Commission to assess its actual costs to data centers that are customers of public utilities.

In forceMar 30

New Jerseyunverified

Data Center Water and Energy Reporting Act

The law requires data centers to report their water and energy use to state energy regulators every six months.

EnactedNov 6

United Kingdomunverified

British Data Centre Covenant

The UK government unveiled a covenant setting local job, community investment, and water protection standards for data centers seeking faster grid connections.

ProposedOct 29

United States (federal)unverified

Ratepayer Protection Act

The bill would require state utility regulators to consider whether large electricity users, including data centers, are driving up costs for other ratepayers.

Passed one chamberOct 6

MarylandEO 01.01.2026.16

Responsible Data Center Development in Maryland

Sets state requirements for large data center proposals on ratepayer protection, community engagement, public developer commitments and transparency.

In forceSep 23

CaliforniaSB 887

CEQA: Data Centers and Geothermal Projects

Bars CEQA categorical exemptions for data center projects and lets the governor certify qualifying data center projects as environmental leadership development projects.

EnactedSep 21

Change log

AddedAdded to the list. Set by hand from the official record.Sep 27

Summaries of public legislative records, executive actions and court rulings, for reference, not legal advice. Check the official page linked on each item. First seen 2026-09-27. Checked against the official source.