Additionally, a revision presented by bill sponsor Sen. Bryan Avila also removed a developer\u2019s capability to extend a public records exemption to development plans for data centers<\/a>, facilities storing digital traffic with computer services, storage systems and equipment.<\/p>\n Opponents argue that large-scale data centers can strain local power grids and water supplies, drive up utility costs, generate noise and environmental impacts, and offer limited long-term economic benefits relative to the resources they consume. Most data centers rely on significant volumes of water for cooling systems, potentially stressing local water supplies in drought-prone or rapidly growing communities.<\/p>\n More: What is a data center? Here’s what it does, why it matters<\/a><\/p>\n Under existing Florida law, businesses could request a 12-month public records exemption for their plans or interests in expansion or construction. Although the measure still allows data center developers to request this exemption, the amendment removed the developer’s capability to seek an additional 12-month exemption from public records, for a total of two years.<\/p>\n But the community won’t know the exact location based on this change to the bill, Avila said on the Senate floor. “There is only a 12-month period, and after that, that’s where certainly the particulars would be public knowledge at that point,” Avila said.<\/p>\n The bill (SB 484<\/a>) comes at a time when Republicans across the country are seeking to regulate artificial intelligence<\/a> and data centers, and are sometimes split on whether the state should be handling its regulations versus the federal government under President Donald Trump \u2013 which seeks to support its growth<\/a> rather than stifle it with legislation.\u00a0<\/p>\n State policymakers want to ensure Florida residents wouldn\u2019t be responsible for utility costs racked up by the artificial intelligence data centers. The overarching measure backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis<\/a> to regulate AI data centers is gradually gaining more momentum through the Legislature; its House companion (HB 1007<\/a>) had lagged for weeks but recently started sweeping through committees.\u00a0Although this data center proposal is moving largely with bipartisan support among Florida lawmakers, the policy is staunchly opposed by Trump<\/a>, who wants only the feds to regulate data centers<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Another bill linked to the data centers regulation is SB 1118, which specifically ensures that the plans, interests and intentions for locating data centers are exempt from public records. Avila’s office did not return a request for comment on how the amendment may affect public records exemptions.<\/p>\n Why is data center construction relevant in Florida?<\/p>\n Florida has more than 100 data centers, with developers continually looking across the state to enter its market.<\/p>\n One particular project, known as Project Tango, has faced outrage from Palm Beach County residents. This was originally a 1.8 million square-foot data center planned in the suburbs of western Palm Beach County, but was later reduced to 1 million square feet.<\/p>\n![\"Sen.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/81374809007-2025-opening-day-of-session-205.JPG\")