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HB 2516

An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in comprehensive plan, providing for comprehensive plan element for commercial data centers; and, in zoning, providing for zoning, commercial data centers and agricultural land protections and for zoning, commercial data centers, approval procedure and minimum standards.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Banta and 8 co-sponsors

The bill would require a new comprehensive plan element and zoning rules specifically for commercial data centers, including protections for agricultural land and an explicit appro

Referred to Local Government
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2516

Overview

House Bill 2516 (2025-2026 Regular Session) proposes amendments to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC). The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Walsh and co-sponsored by Reps. Charity Krupa, Steven Mentzer, Jill Cooper, and Brenda Pugh, would:

  • update general provisions and definitions,
  • establish a new comprehensive plan element focused on commercial data centers,
  • create and regulate zoning rules for commercial data centers, with protections for agricultural land,
  • set forth an approval procedure and minimum standards for zoning related to commercial data centers.

As of the latest action, the bill has been referred to the Local Government committee (May 13, 2026).

What the bill aims to do

  • Clarify and expand MPC definitions in general provisions.
  • Require or authorize a new element within the comprehensive plan specifically addressing commercial data centers.
  • Introduce zoning provisions governing the siting, development, and operation of commercial data centers.
  • Add protections for agricultural land within the zoning framework related to data centers.
  • Establish an approval process and minimum standards for commercial data center zoning and development.

Key provisions and changes (anticipated)

  • Definitions: Revisions to definitions within the MPC’s general provisions to align with data center land uses and related infrastructure.
  • Comprehensive Plan Element for Commercial Data Centers:
    • Requires local governments to consider or adopt a dedicated element in the comprehensive plan addressing data centers.
    • Likely to cover land use compatibility, siting criteria, infrastructure needs (electricity, fiber, water management), environmental considerations, and community impacts.
  • Zoning and Agricultural Land Protections:
    • Creates or strengthens zoning controls specifically for commercial data centers.
    • Includes protections for agricultural land, potentially limiting data center encroachment on prime or agricultural lands and guiding preservation where appropriate.
  • Approval Procedure and Minimum Standards:
    • Establishes a formal approval process for data center zoning and development projects.
    • Sets minimum standards (which may address setbacks, parking, floodplain considerations, noise, lighting, security, stormwater, and infrastructure reliability).

Who would be affected

  • Local government entities (cities, boroughs, and townships) that administer zoning and comprehensive planning under the MPC.
  • Developers and operators of commercial data centers seeking to establish or expand facilities within Pennsylvania.
  • Landowners and agricultural communities impacted by zoning decisions and agricultural land protections.
  • Residents and local stakeholders who may experience changes in land use planning, infrastructure planning (electricity, fiber networks), and environmental/safety standards related to data centers.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Current status: Referred to Local Government committee on May 13, 2026.
  • No votes or committee hearings noted in the provided record.
  • If advanced, the bill would move through standard legislative steps (committee review, potential amendments, floor votes in House and Senate, and gubernatorial action).

Potential impacts to watch

  • Increased emphasis on data center siting within municipal plans and zoning codes.
  • More explicit alignment between data center development and agricultural land protection goals.
  • Clearer, possibly stricter, approval procedures and minimum technical/operational standards for data centers.
  • Impacts on land-use planning timelines as communities integrate the new comprehensive plan element.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to existing MPC provisions or track its progress through committee and floor votes as they become available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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