Delaware SB353: Data Centers/Moratorium/Until Jan 31., 2027

What the bill says

An act to amend the laws of delaware relating to a moratorium on data center development.

From the introduced text, June 30, 2026:

AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAWS OF DELAWARE RELATING TO A MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT. WHEREAS, the rapid expansion of data centers in Delaware has significant implications for energy consumption, land use, and local infrastructure; and WHEREAS, the Delaware General Assembly recognizes a need for a comprehensive study and public input on the long-term impacts of data center development; and WHEREAS, imposing a temporary moratorium will allow the General Assembly to review existing policies, assess environmental and economic impacts, and ensure that this growth aligns with the public interest. NOW, THEREFORE: Section 1. Data center moratorium. (a) A moratorium on all applications and approvals for new data centers in this State is hereby established, as follows: (1) "Data center" means a facility consisting of 1 or more buildings that meets all of the following: a. Has a primary purpose of providing for the storage, management, processing, or transmission of digital data. b. Contains equipment such as routers, graphics processing units, servers, and switches. c. Uses or is able to use 100 megawatts of power or more. (2) During this moratorium, an approval of, or permit for, the construction of a data center may not be granted in this State, including by the governing body of a county, municipality, or any other government agency or local authority. (b) During the …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Eric Buckson (R, 16) · primary sponsor
• Michael Smith (R, 22)

Latest actions

1. July 27, 2026: Defeated By Senate. Votes: 6 YES 15 NO. Reason Taken: Motion to Suspend Rules to Consider SB 353
2. June 30, 2026: Motion to Suspend Rules in Senate by Vote: 6 YES 15 NO. Reason Taken: Motion to Suspend Rules to consider SB 353
3. June 30, 2026: Introduced and Assigned to Executive Committee in Senate

Votes

• Defeated (SM) (July 1, 2026): 6 yea, 15 nay, failed

Common questions

What is SB353?

SB353 is a bill in the Delaware Legislature (153rd General Assembly): Data Centers/Moratorium/Until Jan 31., 2027.

What does SB353 do?

In its own words: An act to amend the laws of delaware relating to a moratorium on data center development.

What is the status of SB353?

Failed as of July 27, 2026. Latest action: Defeated By Senate. Votes: 6 YES 15 NO. Reason Taken: Motion to Suspend Rules to Consider SB 353 (July 27, 2026).

Who sponsored SB353?

Eric Buckson (R, 16), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for SB353?

On the Delaware Legislature website: https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=143681