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Committee advances bill to streamline local development rules, add brownfield and BES provisions and restore 1% tax on data-center equipment
Summary
HB 1333 passed out of committee 14–6 after debate over public-meeting registration, brownfield liability protections, siting of battery energy storage, and restoring a 1% sales-tax payment on data-center equipment (previously exempted). Members signaled they may revisit the 1% rate on second reading.
Representative Culp presented HB 1333 as a multi-part bill: it would let local plan commissions require speakers at public hearings to register name and address, allow brownfield redevelopment with limited developer liability, simplify local approvals for development on lower-quality agricultural land, permit battery energy storage systems in energy enterprise zones, and alter a 2019 data-center sales-tax exemption by imposing a 1% sales tax on equipment purchases with the revenue directed to local government as an incentive.
Members questioned the data-center sales-tax language and whether 1% is sufficient, arguing data centers previously paid no sales tax on equipment and some members said fairness would favor restoring the full 7%; Representative Jody signaled an amendment on second reading to increase the rate. Culp said the 1% was negotiated in committee as a way to deliver some benefit back to the hosting jurisdiction while preserving the broader economic-development incentive for locating a facility.
Committee members also discussed whether statutory guidance should require name/address registration for public-hearing speakers or leave such details to local attorneys and established practice. Culp said statutory clarity would provide 'teeth' for lay boards that do not consistently manage meeting order; opponents raised privacy concerns and urged using existing attorney-advice channels.
After debate, the committee voted 14–6 to pass HB 1333 to the floor. Members who voted no explained concerns about the data-center tax rate and other provisions; at least one member said they would offer an amendment on second reading.
