TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers are moving forward with a proposal for some regulation of tech companies at the local level.
President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis have disagreed on regulating data centers, which tech companies use to develop artificial intelligence.
Public concerns about the consequences of the growing demand for large-scale data centers include higher utility bills, pollution, and water consumption.
Senate Bill 484, filed by Florida Sen. Bryan Avila on Jan. 9, and its related House Bill 1007, filed by Florida Rep. Philip “Griff” Griffitts on Jan. 5, aim to give local governments more authority over data centers.
The bill no longer addresses the issue of public awareness. Florida lawmakers will not be banning nondisclosure agreements, and they won’t require public disclosure.
On Wednesday, the Florida Senate passed SB 284 as amended with a 92-16 vote.
In Palm Beach County, Wellington residents who have been fighting against a 200-acre Project Tango data center have been following the bills.
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