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Bill

HB 1411

Data Center Planning and Transparency Act

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sheila Ruth

Maryland bill requiring data centers to disclose plans to local governments, balancing community transparency with state economic development priorities.

Hearing 3/10 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 1411

Legislative bill overview

HB 1411 establishes planning and transparency requirements for data center development in Maryland. The bill appears to mandate disclosure of data center projects to local governments and possibly the public, while establishing standards for how municipalities and the state coordinate on these facilities.

Why is this important

Data centers consume significant water and electricity resources and can substantially impact local infrastructure, property taxes, and environmental conditions. Without transparency requirements, communities may face unexpected facility expansions or environmental impacts, while states compete to attract data center investment without coordinating impacts across jurisdictions.

Potential points of contention

  • Business competitiveness vs. transparency: Data center operators may argue that public disclosure requirements disadvantage Maryland facilities competing for investment against less-regulated states
  • Local control vs. state economic development: Tension between municipal planning authority and state-level interest in attracting major technology infrastructure investment
  • Environmental and resource concerns: Debate over whether requirements adequately address water consumption, power grid strain, and climate impacts of large-scale data center operations

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

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