The Florida legislature is sending the data center regulation bill to DeSantis. (Stock photo by Tolgart/Getty Images)
The Florida Senate on Friday half-heartedly approved a greatly weakened version of a data center regulation bill backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
It will head to his desk for the governor’s signature into law.
Although the bill, SB 484, would still ensure that AI data center companies pay for their own utilities — not nearby ratepayers — the version approved Friday would allow state agencies to sign non-disclosure agreements with these companies.
That means these businesses can keep secret from the public their plans to locate or expand in Florida for a year. This is a far weaker bill than the one pushed by DeSantis, a leading AI cautionary. He wanted strict regulations to increase transparency and to prevent these companies from taking over Florida’s financial and environmental resources.
Even the Senate bill sponsor, Republican Sen. Bryan Avila, was hesitant of the new SB 484 created by the House earlier this week. He still encouraged positive votes, but acknowledged that there may be constitutional issues.
“NDAs need to be part of a broader conversation — possibly next session — because certainly there are some potential constitutional questions as it relates to NDAs and our sunshine laws,” Avila said.
Senators reluctantly voted for the bill 31-6, with most lawmakers acknowledging that Avila’s original bill banning these NDAs was “better” than the final version.
“Your bill was so superior,” Republican Sen. Gayle Harrell said. “The NDAs are a problem, there’s no doubt … I support this bill, your bill was much better.”
“It’s better than having nothing,” Democratic Sen. Tracie Davis echoed.
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SB 484’s final form emerged following conversations between the Florida House and the pro-AI White House, Florida Politics reported. President Donald Trump, like most Republicans, has embraced the expansion of artificial intelligence. The Department of War used AI to both capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and to carry out strikes in Iran.
Its provisions include a requirement that the Office Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability study the construction and operation of data centers — warehouses designed for large-scale artificial intelligence processors — and submit its findings to the governor, Senate president, and House speaker by July 1, 2027.
Florida’s Public Service Commission must ensure data centers pay for their own utilities, not the general body of ratepayers, and the bill allows local governments to retain their authority to regulate land development with respect to data center companies.