HB 646 Ohio House · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Create the Data Center Study Commission

HB 646 creates the Data Center Study Commission to examine the impacts of data centers within the state. The commission, composed of 13 appointed members (including from the Governor and legislative leaders), will study environmental effects, electrical grid strain, water usage, economic impacts, and other factors through public meetings. It must submit a report to state leaders within six months, after which the commission will dissolve. This bill does not change current regulations but establishes a process for gathering data to inform future decisions about data center development.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Jun 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Jun 2026

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Jun 10, 2026

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What changed between versions

As Introduced → As Passed by the House · 5 edits · Mar 18, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand the Data Center Study Commission by adding new members representing agriculture, rural utilities, townships, and both political parties in the House and Senate. The commission's mandate was updated to include water usage and wastewater discharge, and the final report must now include nonbinding best practices for local decision-making. Additionally, commission members will no longer receive compensation for their service.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a broader range of stakeholders (agriculture, rural utilities, townships, and political parties) and new environmental factors (wastewater discharge) in the study.

ELIGIBILITY

Added five new commission members representing agriculture, rural electric cooperatives, townships, and both majority and minority parties in the House and Senate.

REQUIREMENT

Changed commission member compensation from $250 per meeting to no compensation.

Updated the report requirements to include nonbinding best practices and considerations for local decision-making bodies.

Added wastewater discharge to the list of environmental factors the commission must examine.

Changed the meeting schedule authority from the Governor to the Co-chairpersons.

Floor votes · House Mar 18, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 10, 2026

Committee

Recommitted

upper

Jun 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Informally passed

upper

Jun 2, 2026

Committee

Re-referred

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Committee

Referred to committee

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Introduced

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed - Amended

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

Referred to committee

lower

Jan 14, 2026

Introduced

lower

2 primary · 21 co-sponsors