New Jersey legislation · 2026-2027 Regular Session
New Jersey A3966: Water use by large-scale data centers-conduct study of short & long term effects
Status: Passed one chamber, October 29, 2026
Requires DEP to conduct study of short and long term effects of water use by large-scale data centers.
What the bill says
An Act requiring DEP to conduct an evaluation of the effects of water use by large-scale data centers.
From the amended text, March 16, 2026:
An Act requiring DEP to conduct an evaluation of the effects of water use by large-scale data centers. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. As used in this act: Artificial intelligence or AI means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments. Board means the Board of Public Utilities. 1[Data center means a facility primarily used for the storage, management, and processing of digital or artificial intelligence data. Data center includes facilities that house computer and network systems, including servers, network equipment and appliances, telecommunications, storage systems, monitoring systems, Internet-related equipment and services, data communications connections, environmental controls, fire protection systems, and security systems and services.]1 Department means the Department of Environmental Protection. 1 [ADDED: Large-scale data center means a facility primarily used for the storage, management, and processing of digital or artificial intelligence data that meets or exceeds thresholds established by the department, in consultation with the board, based on factors including, but not limited to, water use, electric demand, physical size, cooling capacity, computing capacity, or other indicators of substantial resource consumption. Large-scale data center includes facilities that house computer and network systems, including servers, network equipment and appliances, telecommunications, storage systems, monitoring systems, …
Sponsors
- Robert J. Karabinchak (D, 18) · primary sponsor
- Ravi S. Bhalla (D, 32) · primary sponsor
- Alixon Collazos-Gill (D, 27) · primary sponsor
- Gerry Scharfenberger (R, 13)
- William B. Sampson, IV (D, 31)
- Vincent M. Kearney (D, 21)
- Yvonne Lopez (D, 19)
- Ed Rodriguez (D, 20)
- Margie Donlon, M.D. (D, 11)
- Luanne M. Peterpaul, Esq. (D, 11)
- Roy Freiman (D, 16)
- Shama A. Haider (D, 37)
Latest actions
- : PA (76-0-1)
- : REP 2RA
- : REP/ACA REF AAP
- : INT 1RA REF AEN
Votes
- 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Water use by large-scale data centers-conduct study of short & long term effects (October 29, 2026): 76 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Assembly Appropriations Committee: Reported favorably (October 22, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee: Reported with committee amendments (Aca) (March 16, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: ENVIRONMENT
Common questions
- What is A3966?
- A3966 is a bill in the New Jersey Legislature (2026-2027 Regular Session): Water use by large-scale data centers-conduct study of short & long term effects.
- What does A3966 do?
- In its own words: An Act requiring DEP to conduct an evaluation of the effects of water use by large-scale data centers.
- What is the status of A3966?
- Passed one chamber as of October 29, 2026. Latest action: PA (76-0-1) (October 29, 2026).
- Who sponsored A3966?
- Robert J. Karabinchak (D, 18), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for A3966?
- On the New Jersey Legislature website: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A3966
Source: official New Jersey record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.