The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1461 requires zoning boards to hold public input meetings before approving hyperscale data centers
Last action · September 24, 2026: Referred to LOCAL GOVERNMENT, Sept. 24, 2026Sponsors: Tracy Pennycuick and 2 others
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What This Bill Would Do
Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1461 establishes official definitions for data centers and s, requiring s to hold at least two advertised public meetings to gather comments before approving any hyperscale data center application.
Local residents gain guaranteed public input opportunities before massive data storage facilities with high power demands can be approved in their municipalities.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
zoning hearing boards
Zoning hearing boards must hold and advertise at least two public meetings before approving any hyperscale data center application.
municipal residents
Residents gain the right to participate in at least two advertised public comment meetings held by the zoning board prior to facility approval.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as a hyperscale data center under this bill?
What must zoning boards do before approving a hyperscale data center?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Sep 24, 2026SenateCommitteeReferred to LOCAL GOVERNMENT, Sept. 24, 2026
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.palegis.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance50How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy25Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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