HB 496

Siting of data centers; site assessment; water use disclosures. Provides that, prior to any approval of a rezoning application, special exception application, or special use permit for the siting of a new data center, a locality shall require that an applicant perform and submit a site assessment to examine and disclose the expected water use for the new data center. The bill also requires an applicant that is proposing the by-right development of a new data center to disclose the expected water use for the new data center at the time of site plan or plan of development submission. Water use disclosures required in the bill must include specified metrics, including average daily use, maximum daily use, and total maximum annual use. The bill prohibits applicants from using nondisclosure agreements or provisions, confidentiality agreements or provisions, or redactions in water and wastewater service agreements to abrogate water use disclosure requirements. Finally, the bill provides that its provisions shall not be construed to prohibit, limit, or otherwise supersede existing local zoning authority.