Bill > HB5882

This bill, titled the "Data Center Planning and Responsibility Act," establishes regulations for local governments in Michigan when they consider imposing a moratorium, which is a temporary pause on approving applications for large-scale data centers or cryptocurrency mining facilities. Before enacting a moratorium, a local government can form a task force, hold public hearings, or require developers to provide studies on the project's local impacts, such as on energy, water, noise, traffic, and property values. To impose a moratorium, the local government must adopt it through a public vote, clearly define its scope and any exemptions, include a process for appealing its application due to hardship, prohibit elected officials from signing non-disclosure agreements about the projects, and explain how it serves the public good; the initial moratorium cannot exceed six months and cannot be imposed if a similar moratorium was previously enacted. During a moratorium, local governments can continue to gather information, conduct studies, hold public meetings, and propose amendments to their zoning ordinances to better manage the impacts of these facilities, such as requiring special land use approval or limiting them to specific zones. Extensions to the moratorium are possible for up to 90 days if compelling circumstances exist, such as needing more time to review public input or finalize zoning changes, and require another public vote. The bill also clarifies that a "large-scale data center" will be defined by thresholds set by the Michigan Public Service Commission, considering factors like the project's impact on the electrical grid and potential cost shifts to other ratepayers, and mandates the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget to create a public website with planning resources for these facilities.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2026-HB-5882