Georgia CommonsHB 1012: Local government; construction or development of new data centers for a specified time; prohibit
Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action January 28, 2026 · Introduced
The text as LegiScan holds it, read from the PDF the legislature publishes with its margin line numbers, running heads, and page footers removed. Line breaks are joined into paragraphs here; no word is changed.
Underlined words are what the bill adds to current law and struck-through words are what it removes, as the printed bill shows them.
House Bill 1012
By: Representatives Romman of the 97th, Ridley of the 22nd, Oliver of the 84th, and Frye of the 122nd
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 80 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions of local government, so as to prohibit the construction or development of new data centers for a specified time; to provide for legislative intent; to provide for an exception; to provide for a definition; to provide for an effective date; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 80 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions of local government, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
"36-80-32.
(a) The General Assembly finds and declares it to be the policy of this state that although data centers are a valuable economic resource, it is in the public interest to pause new construction so that the impact of such data centers on the natural resources, environment, and vital areas of this state can be fully understood. The state has an essential public interest in establishing minimum standards for land use in order to protect and preserve its natural resources, environment, and vital areas.
(b) As used in this Code section, the term 'data center' shall mean a facility, campus of facilities, or array of interconnected facilities which houses working servers and that is developed to cool, secure, and connect data associated with applications and services.
(c) Under the authority granted by Article III, Section VI, Paragraph II(a)(1) of the Constitution of Georgia, between the effective date of this Act and March 1, 2027, no county, municipal corporation, local authority, or other political subdivision of the state shall issue any permits, license, or certificates pursuant to this title or Title 8, 12, or 25 that would authorize or allow for the construction or development of a data center.
(d) The prohibition provided for in subsection (c) of this Code section shall not apply to any permits, licenses, or certificates issued prior to July 1, 2026, for the purpose of constructing a data center."
SECTION 2.
This Act shall become effective upon the approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval.
SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.