Ohio House Bill 646 Proposes Data Center Study Commission
Ohio lawmakers propose a 13-member commission to study data center impacts amid calls from critics for an immediate moratorium on AI infrastructure.
The Ohio House Committee advanced House Bill 646 on March 3, 2026, to establish a 13-member study commission tasked with analyzing the economic, environmental, agricultural, and utility impacts of data centers. Co-sponsored by State Representative Gary Click, the proposal requires appointees from Governor Mike DeWine, the House Speaker, and the Senate President to be subject matter experts in tax policy and public utilities. The commission would be mandated to hold its first hearing within 45 days of the law's enactment and deliver a report within six months.
The bill has drawn criticism from those who argue a study is an insufficient response to the rapid expansion of the industry. Candidate Kim Georgeton advocated for a minimum 36-month statewide moratorium on data centers, server farms, and AI infrastructure, describing the pause as a not yet rather than a permanent ban. State Representative Black Sherif voted against advancing the bill, citing the slowness of a commission-based approach.
In contrast, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce supports the data center industry, highlighting its 2024 economic output of $26.4 billion. Click defended the commission's approach, noting that while legislation typically starts with an answer, a commission begins by identifying the actual issues through data collection.
