Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB856: AN ACT relating to data centers.
Status: In committee, March 10, 2026
Create a new section of Subchapter 10 of KRS Chapter 224 to define terms; require data centers to submit a water feasibility study to the Energy and Environment Cabinet before commencing operations; require all data centers to submit an annual water usage report to the Energy and Environment Cabinet.
What the bill says
An act relating to data centers.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to data centers. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: SECTION 1. A NEW SECTION OF SUBCHAPTER 10 OF KRS CHAPTER 224 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) As used in this section, "data center" means: (a) A qualified data center project that has been approved for a certificate of exemption under KRS 139.499; or (b) A centralized facility that: 1. Is used primarily or exclusively for electronic information services, including but not limited to the management, storage, processing, and dissemination of electronic data and information through the use of computer systems, servers, networking equipment, and related components; 2. Has electrical load that is either fixed, portable, or distributable, including but not limited to structures that are not affixed to the ground or are easily removed from a location; 3. Has an expected or actual peak of real-time energy demand of fifteen (15) megawatts or greater; and 4. Has an expected or actual monthly load factor of sixty percent (60%) or greater. (2) A data center shall not commence operations unless it has the approval from the cabinet pursuant to the requirements of this section. (3) (a) To obtain approval from the cabinet to begin operations, an owner of a data center shall submit a water feasibility study to the cabinet …
Sponsors
- Sarah Stalker (D, HD-034) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : to Natural Resources & Energy (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: State Agencies, Reports Mandated, Public Utilities, Information Technology, Water Supply
Common questions
- What is HB856?
- HB856 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to data centers.
- What does HB856 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to data centers.
- What is the status of HB856?
- In committee as of March 10, 2026. Latest action: to Natural Resources & Energy (H) (March 10, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB856?
- Sarah Stalker (D, HD-034).
- Where is the official record for HB856?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb856.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.