Bill > HB1534

This bill establishes new operational and siting standards for data centers in Maryland, aiming to protect public health and the environment. It requires data center owners and operators to comply with specific regulations set by the Department of the Environment, including controls on sound and vibration, and requirements for backup power generation. For data centers located near schools, additional measures are mandated, such as specific setbacks for high-voltage electrical equipment, funding for air filtration systems in schools, and the installation of air quality sensors. The bill also prohibits local authorities from approving data center construction on certain agricultural lands, specifically those with high-quality soil classifications (U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Capability Class I or II) or agricultural easements, and in designated Rural Legacy Areas, unless no other suitable industrial land is available. Furthermore, before approving a data center on previously undeveloped land, applicants must submit a report confirming they evaluated decommissioned industrial or power plant sites. The bill defines "data center" as a facility housing computer systems and associated infrastructure for organizing, processing, storing, and disseminating large amounts of data, and "DBA" and "DBC" as measures of sound levels. These provisions are set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1534?ys=2026RS