Pennsylvania 2025_0 Regular Session Status: In Committee 3 R cosponsors

SB 1461 — An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in zoning, providing for hyperscale data centers and public input.

Last action — Referred to LOCAL GOVERNMENT, Sept. 24, 2026

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced September 24, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

In plain language

The bill requires public input for hyperscale data centers in Pennsylvania.

This bill amends existing legislation to define hyperscale data centers and mandates public meetings before such centers can be approved. At least two meetings must be held, allowing community feedback on applications.

What this means for you
  • Community: This means you will have an opportunity to voice your opinions on proposed hyperscale data centers before they are approved.

Summary

Data Center Accountability and Community Protection Package

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds definitions for data centers and hyperscale data centers and requires zoning hearing boards to hold public meetings for soliciting comments on hyperscale data center applications.

  • Section 107(a)

    "Data center," a facility or group of facilities, including an ancillary use or associated structure located on the same tract or parcel of land, that: (1) is predominantly used to house working servers or similar data storage systems; and (2) has an uninterruptible energy supply or generator backup power, or both, cooling systems, towers and other temperature control infrastructure. "Hyperscale data center," a data center whose peak load is equal to or more than: (1) 25 megawatts for a single facility; or (2) 50 megawatts in the aggregate for multiple facilities.

    This addition provides new definitions for data centers and hyperscale data centers, clarifying what constitutes these facilities within the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

  • In addition to any other applicable provision of law, a zoning hearing board must hold at least two meetings for the purpose of soliciting public comments before approval of a hyperscale data center application. The meetings shall be advertised by public notice.

    This mandates that zoning hearing boards solicit public input through at least two advertised meetings before approving applications for hyperscale data centers.

Action History

  1. Referred to LOCAL GOVERNMENT, Sept. 24, 2026

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 2 co-sponsors · 250 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (2)

Not signed on (250)

250 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety technology
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 1461 do?
Data Center Accountability and Community Protection Package
Who sponsors SB 1461?
SB 1461 is sponsored by Lynda Schlegel Culver (Republican), Elder A. Vogel (Republican), and Tracy Pennycuick (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 1461?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced September 24, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 1461?
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Last checked for changes 21 days ago · updated continuously

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