Florida Enacts New Law Regulating AI Data Centers

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 484 on May 7, 2026, requiring AI data centers to pay for their own utilities without shifting costs to customers. The bill allows data centers to keep expansion plans confidential for a year under nondisclosure agreements, contrary to DeSantis's transparency goals. SB 484 mandates the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis study data center impacts and submit findings by July 1, 2027.

SB 484 signing ceremony

• ▪Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared in Lakeland with Florida Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly on May 9, 2026 regarding SB 484.
• ▪Gov. Ron DeSantis thanked the Legislature for passing SB 484.
• ▪Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 484 regulating data centers during a news conference at Florida Polytechnic University on May 7, 2026.

Data center utility costs

• ▪SB 484 requires AI data centers to pay for their own utilities and not shift the costs to customers.
• ▪SB 484 puts an onus on Florida's Public Service Commission to ensure that data centers pay for their own utilities and that those costs aren't shifted to consumers.

Nondisclosure agreement allowances

• ▪SB 484 allows data centers that plan to expand or move in Florida to keep their intentions quiet for a year.
• ▪The nondisclosure agreement allowance in SB 484 is contrary to what Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed for.
• ▪SB 484 does not ban artificial intelligence companies from signing secret nondisclosure agreements with state agencies.

Legislative compromise process

• ▪SB 484 was rewritten by the Florida House following conversations between the pro-AI White House and state House members.
• ▪The Florida Senate agreed in the 11th hour of the 2026 session to approve SB 484.
• ▪SB 484 continues to allow local governments to regulate land development with respect to data centers.
• ▪The Florida Senate was willing to deliver to Gov. Ron DeSantis the bill Ron DeSantis coveted, but the Florida House was not.
• ▪SB 484 was less expansive than what Gov. Ron DeSantis advocated.

White House bill influence

• ▪The White House had conversations with Florida state House members regarding SB 484.
• ▪President Donald Trump has embraced expansion of artificial intelligence.

DeSantis AI regulation stance

• ▪SB 484 requires the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to study construction and operation of data centers and submit its findings to the governor, Senate president, and House speaker by July 1, 2027.
• ▪Gov. Ron DeSantis championed strict regulations to increase transparency and prevent AI companies from taking over Florida's financial and environmental resources.
• ▪Gov. Ron DeSantis is a standout among the GOP for pushing strict AI regulations.
• ▪Gov. Ron DeSantis is wary of AI and has pushed for strict regulations.

Perspective of White House and pro-AI advocates

• ▪President Donald Trump has embraced expansion of artificial intelligence, contrasting with Gov. Ron DeSantis's wariness of AI.

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