DeSantis Receives Data Center Bill, Foreign Policy Legislation
Gov. Ron DeSantis received 10 bills from the Florida Legislature on Wednesday, including measures restricting large data centers and limiting government contracts with nations deemed hostile to U.S. interests.
The data center bill (SB 484) was the only artificial intelligence-related measure from DeSantis' agenda to survive the regular session and a special session last week. It requires the Florida Public Service Commission to establish rates ensuring that large data center operators bear their own full infrastructure costs rather than shifting expenses to residential ratepayers.
The bill also allows local governments to keep tech company data center plans confidential for up to 12 months.
DeSantis acknowledged the measure fell short of his original vision. "It did get watered down a little bit," he said on April 23 in Jacksonville. "But it will prevent any increase in power cost from being passed on to consumers."
The Legislature blocked DeSantis' proposal for an "artificial intelligence bill of rights," with House leadership arguing the issue requires federal action rather than state legislation.
Foreign Policy and Cuba
A second significant bill (HB 905) restricts state government contracts with China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria. The measure also authorizes the governor to suspend business restrictions with Cuba if the federal government changes the island's diplomatic status.
DeSantis has previously stated that a change in Cuba's government could attract Cuban exiles to return and rebuild the nation's economy. "If you just had a halfway legitimate government that wasn't 100 percent corrupt and actually respected people's rights and the rule of law, I think you could do better than that," he said in March.
DeSantis has until May 21 to sign, veto, or allow the bills to become law without his signature.
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