Barrett Introduces Bills to Protect Local Communities from Data Center Overreach
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) today introduced legislation to ensure every community in Michigan and across the United States maintains their autonomy over the decision-making process related to building a data center. Specifically, the two bills would protect local control by prohibiting the federal government from overriding local zoning decisions and banning members of Congress from signing non-disclosure agreements related to data center projects.
The introduction of the legislation was first reported in The Detroit News.
“People in mid-Michigan are tired of big corporations and politicians negotiating backroom deals, especially when it comes to data center projects that impact every community differently,” said Barrett. “Families in my district are rightly concerned about the effect data centers could have on their utility bills, as well as the land and water in their neighborhood. They deserve to know all the facts and have the final say over any proposed project. That starts with stopping federal overreach and preventing the secrecy pledges that have plagued Michigan and undermined the power of local residents.”
Barrett has long opposed the government putting a thumb on the scale in favor of data centers. When he served in the Michigan House of Representatives, he voted against legislation his own party passed to give corporate welfare for data center construction and equipment purchases.
Below is additional information on the two bills Congressman Barrett introduced:
The Protecting Local Control of Data Centers Act (H.R. 10119) would prohibit federal agencies from overriding local land-use, zoning, siting, or permitting authority related to data centers. It would also prevent federal agencies from leveraging federal funds for a data center to force state and local governments to give up their authority.
The No Data Center NDAs Act (H.R. 10118) would prohibit members of Congress from signing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) about data centers, including any information about possible locations or how much water or energy a facility is expected to consume. NDAs have gained attention in Michigan in recent years, with many federal, state, and local officials signing secrecy deals about proposed corporate projects.
Barrett also recently co-sponsored a variety of bills to promote transparency and strengthen safeguards around the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI), including:
- The Children Harmed by AI Technology (CHAT) Act (H.R. 7218) to require AI chatbots to implement age verification measures to protect minors. The bill requires parental consent for minors using chatbots, bans chatbots from engaging in sexually explicit communications with minors, and requires chatbots to notify a minor’s parent if the minor’s chat shows signs of suicidal ideation.
- The AI Threat Output and Monitoring Incident Containment Act (H.R. 9965) to test advanced AI systems to prevent risks to nuclear safety.
- The Human Authority over Autonomous Weapons Act (H.R. 9729) to ensure that no autonomous or artificial intelligence-enabled weapon system used by the United States military can carry out an intentionally lethal strike without meaningful human oversight or a human decision-maker in the loop.
CLICK HERE to read the Protecting Local Control of Data Centers Act.