A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Local Control Protection Act. It is designed to protect the choices that local governments make regarding zoning decisions for large data center developments. Under the bill, United States courts cannot hear challenges to local government decisions stopping a data center if the choice was made by a recorded vote with documented findings. Federal agencies are also banned from approving construction or operation permits if the data center owner is suing to overturn a local zoning denial. Additionally, the bill requires data centers to have a legally enforceable community benefit agreement with local leaders to be eligible for Federal tax credits. This agreement must include local tax terms, infrastructure mitigation, environmental monitoring, and a local workforce plan. A covered data center is defined as a facility or group of facilities under common control with a power demand of 20 megawatts or more.
Yes· 3 of 18
- Scored +7
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
Strongly protects the authority of local governments to make zoning decisions.
- Scored +5
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?
Requires infrastructure mitigation measures for roads and utilities.
- Scored +5
Does this put more rules on large technology companies?
Imposes significant zoning and operational restrictions on large-scale data center developers.
The opposite· 3 of 5
- Scored -6
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
Removes the jurisdiction of U.S. courts to hear challenges against certain local zoning decisions.
- Scored -4
Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this?
Restricts the ability of wealthy developers to challenge local zoning.
- Scored -4
Would billionaires be better off under this?
Restricts the ability of large-scale developers to challenge local zoning.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2: This section stops United States courts from hearing challenges to local government decisions that block a data center, as long as the decision used a recorded vote and documented findings. This keeps power in the hands of local officials that people voted for.
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Section 3: Federal agencies cannot approve permits for data centers if the owner is actively suing a local government to override a zoning denial. This holds developers accountable and stops them from bullying local communities through the legal system.
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Section 4: Tax credits are denied to data center developers unless they make a public, legally enforceable agreement with local government executives. This provision ensures communities get help with local tax liabilities and infrastructure impacts like roads, water, stormwater, and utilities.
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Section 4: Developers must include environmental and noise monitoring protocols in their community agreements. This protects the peace and environment of local neighborhoods near the data centers.
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Section 4: Developers must provide a Local Workforce Utilization Plan that documents good-faith efforts to hire local workers before looking outside the region. It also creates partnerships with local apprenticeship programs, technical schools, community colleges, and prioritizes local contractors.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 4: Developers who fail to meet the community benefit requirements, local workforce plans, or public agreement mandates will be blocked from receiving Federal tax credits for their data centers. While this holds them accountable, it could potentially slow down technology investments or increase costs for companies operating in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — Requires infrastructure mitigation measures for roads and utilities. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Requires environmental and noise monitoring protocols as part of community benefit agreements. Does this invest in rural communities? — Provides leverage for local communities to gain infrastructure improvements from data center developers.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Promotes regional hiring and local workforce development. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Protects rural local government zoning and provides infrastructure mitigation. Would business owners be better off under this? — Benefits local contractors and subcontractors via mandated preferences. Would students be better off under this? — Creates pathways via partnerships with community colleges and technical education centers. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Increases local job opportunities and apprenticeship partnerships. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increases local employment opportunities. Would union members be better off under this? — Partnerships with registered apprenticeship programs may benefit union training. Would billionaires be better off under this? — Restricts the ability of large-scale developers to challenge local zoning. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — Restricts the ability of wealthy developers to challenge local zoning. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — Mandates local workforce utilization plans to prioritize regional hiring. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Creates a preference for local contractors and subcontractors for data center projects. Does this raise the taxes companies pay? — Increases the cost of obtaining tax credits by requiring costly community benefit agreements. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — Potentially reduces federal spending on tax credits for data centers that fail to meet community requirements.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — Imposes significant zoning and operational restrictions on large-scale data center developers.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Promotes local employment and regional workforce development.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Strongly protects the authority of local governments to make zoning decisions. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires community benefit agreements and workforce plans to be made publicly available. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Removes the jurisdiction of U.S. courts to hear challenges against certain local zoning decisions. Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — May hinder the movement of data center investment by restricting developer legal recourse.
- 9/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/11/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
Thomas KeanRepublican · New Jersey
Daniel MeuserRepublican · Pennsylvania