Ohio requires data centers to report monthly and yearly water use and bans nondisclosure agreements on consumption data

Original title: Require data center water consumption reports

Last action · March 25, 2026: Referred to EnergySponsors: Christine Cockley and 5 others

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What This Bill Would Do

Ohio House Bill 784 requires all data centers that withdraw state waters to measure and report their monthly and annual water consumption to the state. The measure also prohibits data centers from using s to bar local s from discussing or disclosing facility water use, punishable by a civil fine of up to one thousand dollars.

Why it matters

Data center operators face new legal mandates to track and disclose water usage to state regulators and are barred from restricting local governments from discussing facility water consumption under threat of a civil fine and voided contracts.

Background

Data centers require substantial volumes of water for cooling their server equipment, leading to increased scrutiny from local communities regarding resource usage and environmental impacts. context

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.

Directly affected

Data centers

Data centers must measure and report monthly and yearly water consumption, submit efficiency descriptions, and are prohibited from entering into nondisclosure agreements regarding water use under threat of fines and voided contracts.

Directly affected

Political subdivisions

Local political subdivisions and their officials cannot be bound by nondisclosure agreements that restrict them from discussing or disclosing information related to a data center's water consumption.

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 information must data centers include in their monthly water reports?

Data centers must specify their total water consumption for the previous calendar month, the maximum amount consumed each day, the water sources used, and whether the consumption was intended for cooling or another application.

What happens if a data center includes a water-related gag clause in a contract with a local government?

The agreement or contract is void and unenforceable, and the person who entered into the agreement on behalf of the data center is subject to a civil fine of up to one thousand dollars.

When are data centers required to submit their annual water consumption report?

Annual reports must be submitted to the chief of the division of water resources not later than the first day of February each year.

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

2 actions

Mar 25, 2026HouseCommittee
Referred to Energy
Mar 24, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced

Version history

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