An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Carolyn Comitta and 3 co-sponsors

Data centers would be explicitly excluded from the definition of public utilities, guiding them to operate under sector-specific rules rather than the general public utility framew

Referred to Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure

Summary of Bill SB 1385 (Session 2025-2026) – Pennsylvania

Purpose and intent

The bill amends Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically within the general provisions definitions.

It introduces a new definition for “data center” and clarifies that a data center is not considered a public utility for certain purposes.

Key provisions and changes

New definition: “Data center”

Defined as a retail electric customer facility used primarily or exclusively for electronic information services.
Activities include management, storage, processing, and dissemination of electronic data and information.
Functionally involves the use of computer systems, servers, networking equipment, and related components.

Public utility definition clarification

The existing definition of “public utility” remains, but the bill adds a new carve-out:
Exclusion: Data centers are explicitly not considered a public utility.

Effective date

The act would take effect 60 days after enactment.

Who/what is affected

Data centers in Pennsylvania: By codifying a data center as not a public utility, the bill potentially changes how data centers are regulated under Pennsylvania public utility law.

Public utilities regulatory framework: The carve-out may affect regulatory treatment, reporting, rates, or oversight that would otherwise apply if data centers were deemed public utilities.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and sponsorship

Introduced June 26, 2026.
Primary sponsors: Sen. Muth; Sen. Comitta; Sen. Costa; Sen. Kearney.

Referral

Referred to the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure on the same day.

Effective date

Takes effect 60 days after enactment (date dependent on passage and signing into law).

Practical impact and considerations

The bill provides regulatory clarity by explicitly excluding data centers from the category of public utilities.

If enacted, data centers would operate under appropriate sector-specific rules rather than the broader public utility framework.

Stakeholders (data center operators, utility regulators, policymakers) would want to review how this exclusion interacts with existing utility regulations, energy pricing, reliability requirements, and any incentives or obligations applicable to electric customers and energy consumers.

Note: This summary reflects the bill text as introduced and may be affected by amendments or amendments during the legislative process.