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House Energy committee tables bill requiring data centers and digital asset miners to report electricity use
Summary
The House Energy, Technology, and Federal Relations committee considered House Bill 263, which would require data centers and digital asset mining businesses to report electricity usage. A technical cleanup amendment passed, a reporting-and-confidentiality amendment failed in a 7-7 tie, and the committee tabled the bill.
The House Energy, Technology, and Federal Relations committee took up House Bill 263 on a requirement for data centers and digital asset mining businesses to report electricity use and ultimately tabled the measure after tied votes. Chair Perry convened the session and led the committee through amendments and final action.
Representative Millett successfully moved a technical cleanup amendment (HB 263.001) that, according to his explanation, inserts two words to align the phrase "digital asset mining" with the bill's definitions and adds the word "total" before "megawatt hours" to match another line. The committee approved that amendment by voice vote; the clerk recorded 14 ayes and 0 nos.
Representative Mitchell later offered amendment 1.2 to establish a reporting requirement "for data centers and digital asset mining businesses to disclose electricity usage and ensure that proprietary business information remains confidential," saying the change would "provide regulators with essential data for energy planning and policy decisions." Vice Chair Cordum opposed that amendment, calling it an "unfriendly amendment" that would "make it impossible to compare or contrast the different kinds of data centers and digital asset miners," and saying it would "nerf the bill" and impede ratepayer transparency.
The committee held a roll call on amendment 1.2. The clerk recorded a 7-7 tie, with one yes recorded "by proxy," and the amendment failed on the tie. The committee then took a roll call on final passage of HB 263 as amended; that vote also ended in a 7-7 tie and the motion to pass failed.
After the failed passage vote, a member moved to table the bill. The committee conducted a voice vote on tabling; the transcript records back-and-forth about proxy counts and a brief clarification on the record, after which the committee proceeded with tabling. The transcript closes with Chair Perry stating, "That concludes the business on House Bill 263," and adjourning the committee.
Votes at a glance: - HB 263.001 (technical cleanup amendment): Passed by voice vote; clerk reported 14 ayes, 0 nos. - Amendment 1.2 (reporting requirement with confidentiality protections), mover Representative Mitchell: Failed on roll call, 7 ayes, 7 nos (one yes recorded by proxy). - Final passage of HB 263 (as amended): Failed on roll call, 7 ayes, 7 nos. - Motion to table HB 263 (as amended): Passed by voice vote; transcript records a contested proxy count but tabling was recorded and the committee moved on.
The committee record shows disagreement over the scope and comparability of reporting data: supporters said reporting is necessary for energy planning, while opponents said confidentiality provisions would prevent useful comparisons between types of facilities. The committee did not adopt the reporting-and-confidentiality amendment and did not pass the bill; it was tabled pending possible future action.
Chair Perry adjourned the House Energy, Technology, and Federal Relations committee at the close of the recorded session.
