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Data-center water permitting bill deferred after supporters press transparency goals

House Natural Resources Committee · April 28, 2026

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Summary

Representative Walters’ substitute for House Bill 12-06 — which would authorize the DEC secretary to monitor and regulate withdrawals at data centers and require public hearings and reporting — was adopted as a substitute but voluntarily deferred so sponsors can work with the department on a comprehensive bill next year.

House Bill 12-06, a substitute presented April 28 by Representative Walters, would give the secretary of the Department of Energy and Conservation (DEC) authority to monitor and regulate groundwater and surface-water withdrawals at data centers, require public hearings and add tracking mechanisms intended to increase transparency for communities near hyperscale projects.

Angel Bradford Rosenberg of the Sierra Club’s Delta chapter asked the committee to add tools for public engagement and a universal identifier to make projects easier to follow. Rebecca Trish of the Louisiana Wildlife Federation said the substitute would help track withdrawals and allow the state to begin building a water budget. Blake Canfield (DEC) and department staff said they support improved data collection and scientific approaches but emphasized funding and staffing would be required to create and enforce a comprehensive permitting program.

Representative Walters asked the committee to adopt the amendment set (4,596) as a substitute so language would be preserved should the bill be refiled; the committee adopted the substitute. Representative Walters then voluntarily deferred the bill to continue work with the department and stakeholders and said she will return with a comprehensive measure in a future session.

Next steps: Sponsor and DEC plan to continue negotiations to draft a comprehensive permit-and-reporting scheme that addresses staffing and funding for monitoring and public engagement, with the substitute retained if the bill is refiled.