New Florida Data Center Law Takes Effect July 1

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2026 – A new law in Florida, soon taking effect, will ensure data centers cover costs and give local governments a say in the technology.

Florida legislation SB 484 was signed by DeSantis last month and will take effect on July 1.

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The law requires data centers to cover full energy costs and requires large-scale data centers to fill out a consumptive use permit or CUP. CUPs are reviewed by water management districts and the Department of Environmental Protection and allow districts to mandate data centers to use a portion of reclaimed water to offset cooling demands.

“You should not pay one more red cent for electricity because of a hyperscale data center as an individual,” said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis , R, according to Fox 13. “That’s just not right for the most wealthy companies in the history of the world to come in and have individual Floridians or Americans subsidize these hyperscale data centers.”

The governor noted that the bill would revise Florida law regarding regulation of large-scale data centers. SB 484 will preserve local government authority over zoning, permitting and land use regulations. Communities are given the power to set stricter standards or deny projects.

It also forbids agencies from entering into non-disclosure agreements regarding data center development that restrict agencies from providing information to the public.

The law prohibits public electric utilities from providing service to large data centers controlled or owned by foreign countries that pose concerns. Data centers that use high volumes of power may not be considered an electric substation under state law to prevent loopholes.

The law comes as the White House issued the “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” in March, compelling companies that signed the pledge to cover full costs of energy and infrastructure needed for their companies “no matter what.” Seven large artificial intelligence companies – Oracle, Google, Amazon, Meta, OpenAI, Microsoft and xAI – signed the pledge.

Even with the pledge, 75 percent of Americans have expressed doubts that AI companies will actually cover these costs, with many saying that laws and regulations are needed to ensure that tech companies deliver on these promises.