July 21, 2026
Mr. Warner introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
To exempt AI data centers from bonus depreciation and require data center operators to submit certain information relating to electricity and water use by data centers, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Data Center Tax Accountability and Disclosure Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Exempting AI data centers from bonus depreciation
(a) In general
Section 168(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (9)—
(A)
in subparagraph (A), by striking or
at the end,
(B)
in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting , or
, and
(C)
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(C)
any property used in an AI data center., and
(2)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(11) AI data center
(A) In general
For purposes of paragraph (9)(C), the term AI data center means a permanent or semipermanent structure, or group of such structures, which—
(i)
is dedicated to—
(I)
the centralized accommodation, interconnection, and operation of information technology and network telecommunications equipment (including not less than 1 graphics processing unit), and
(II)
providing data storage, processing, and transport services, and
(ii)
at least 20 percent of which is used for developing or operating artificial intelligence.
(B) Exclusion
(i) In general
For purposes of paragraph (9)(C), the term AI data center shall not include any structure or group of structures described in subparagraph (A) which has obtained the LEED Green Building Rating System certification at the Platinum or Gold level.
(ii) Alternate standard
The Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may jointly—
(I)
establish or identify an alternate standard that is equivalent to or exceeds the standard described in clause (i), and
(II)
as an alternative to the standard described in clause (i), allow the use of such alternate standard for purposes of the exclusion provided under such clause.
(C) Definitions
For purposes of this paragraph—
(i) Artificial intelligence
The term artificial intelligence has the meaning given such term in section 5002 of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (15 U.S.C. 9401).
(ii) Graphics processing unit
The term graphic processing unit means a specialized electronic circuit designed to accelerate image rendering, graphics processing, and parallel computation tasks.
(iii) LEED Green Building Rating System
The term LEED Green Building Rating System means the most recent version of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system for—
(I)
Building Design and Construction, or
(II)
Operations and Maintenance,
as developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
(b) Application of leased property rules to AI data centers
Section 168 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(o) Application of leased property rules to AI data centers
In the case of any AI data center (as defined in subsection (k)(11)) which is subject to a lease, the depreciation deduction provided by section 167(a) shall be determined pursuant to the rules under section 1.167(a)–11(e)(3)(iii) of title 26, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this subsection).
(c) Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to property placed in service after the date of enactment of this Act.
Sec. 3. Data center disclosures
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Administrator
The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) Affected community
The term affected community means a community that—
(A)
is subject to the jurisdiction of the same unit of local government as a covered data center; or
(B)
is served by the same electric utility, water authority, or drinking water utility as a covered data center.
(3) Affected unit of local government
The term affected unit of local government means any unit of local government within the jurisdiction of which a covered data center or affected community is located.
(4) Applicable recipient
The term applicable recipient, with respect to a disclosure under subsection (b) or a report under subsection (c), means—
(A)
if the applicable covered data center is located in an electing State, the electing State; and
(B)
if the applicable covered data center is not located in an electing State, the Secretary and the Administrator.
(5) Covered data center
(A) In general
The term covered data center means a data center, including a dual-use data center and a data center that is co-located or otherwise shares commercial space with a dedicated Federal data center, the power demand of which is 25 megawatts or more.
(B) Exclusion
The term covered data center does not include a dedicated Federal data center.
(6) Data center
The term data center has the meaning given the term in section 453(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17112(a)).
(7) Data center operator
The term data center operator means any person that operates a covered data center.
(8) Dedicated Federal data center
The term dedicated Federal data center means a data center that is owned and operated exclusively by or for the Federal Government (including any element of the intelligence community (as defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003))).
(9) Dual-use data center
The term dual-use data center means a data center that provides services to both the Federal Government and 1 or more non-Federal interests.
(10) Director
The term Director means the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
(11) Electing State
The term electing State means a State that—
(A)
has elected to receive disclosures and reports under this section;
(B)
has established a system for receiving those disclosures and reports; and
(C)
has notified the Secretary and the Administrator that the State will—
(i)
receive those disclosures and reports; and
(ii)
submit to the Secretary and the Administrator an annual compilation of those disclosures and reports under subsection (d)(1).
(12) Power usage effectiveness
The term power usage effectiveness has the meaning given the term in the document published in 2026 by the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission entitled Information technology — Data centres key performance indicators — Part 2: Power usage effectiveness (PUE)
and numbered ISO/IEC 30134–2:2026 (or a successor document).
(13) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.
(14) State
The term State means—
(A)
each of the several States of the United States;
(B)
the District of Columbia;
(C)
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
(D)
the United States Virgin Islands;
(E)
Guam;
(F)
American Samoa;
(G)
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands;
(H)
an Indian tribe included on the list published by the Secretary of the Interior under section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131);
(I)
the Federated States of Micronesia;
(J)
the Republic of the Marshall Islands; and
(K)
the Republic of Palau.
(15) Water usage effectiveness
The term water usage effectiveness has the meaning given the term in the document published in 2022 by the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission entitled Information technology — Data centres key performance indicators — Part 9: Water usage effectiveness (WUE)
and numbered ISO/IEC 30134–9:2022 (or a successor document).
(b) Initial disclosures
(1) In general
Not later than 180 days before the date on which a covered data center commences operations, the data center operator shall submit to the applicable recipient an initial disclosure that includes an estimate of the information described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (c) for the 1-year period beginning on the date on which the covered data center is expected to commence operations.
(2) Existing data centers
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, each covered data center operating as of that date of enactment shall submit to the applicable recipient an initial disclosure that includes the information required to be included in an annual mandatory report under subsection (c) for the most recent calendar year ending before that date of enactment.
(3) Federal data centers
(A) Dual-use data centers
With respect to a dual-use data center—
(i)
this subsection and subsection (c) shall only apply to the extent prescribed by the Director under subsection (e)(1)(D); and
(ii)
in providing initial disclosures under this subsection or submitting an annual report under subsection (c) as so prescribed, the data center operator shall comply with all applicable requirements established under subsection (e), including the standards established under paragraph (1)(D) of that subsection and any exemptions from disclosure established under paragraph (2)(C) of that subsection.
(B) Dedicated Federal data centers
This subsection and subsection (c) shall not apply to a dedicated Federal data center.
(c) Annual mandatory report
Not later than December 31 of each year, each data center operator shall submit to the applicable recipient an annual report that describes, for the most recent preceding calendar year, the following information for each applicable covered data center operated by the data center operator:
(1) Water access and usage
(A)
The total number of gallons of water withdrawn or consumed each month by the covered data center during the year covered by the report.
(B)
The source of the water so withdrawn or consumed by the covered data center, such as a municipal drinking water system, groundwater, surface water, or reclaimed water.
(C)
The annual average water usage effectiveness of the covered data center.
(D)
Any water rights, permits, or long-term supply agreements held by a data center operator for a covered data center, including the term and quantity of water subject to those rights, that permit, or that agreement.
(2) Electricity access and usage
(A)
The total electricity contracted for or consumed by the covered data center each month during the year covered by the report, measured in megawatt-hours, and the peak electricity demand of the covered data center during that year, measured in megawatts.
(B)
If the covered data center uses behind-the-meter power generation, the method used to generate that power, including the percentage of total electricity consumed by the covered data center from each behind-the-meter generation source type, calculated on an actual-dispatch basis.
(C)
The total greenhouse gas emissions of the covered data center in carbon dioxide-equivalent metric tons (calculated on the basis of energy consumption).
(D)
The annual average power usage effectiveness of the covered data center.
(E)
Any long-term power purchase agreements or utility service agreements to which the covered data center operator was a party during the year covered by the report, including—
(i)
the term of the power purchase agreement; and
(ii)
the quantity of power covered by the power purchase agreement.
(3) Backup power
(A)
The types of backup power maintained for the covered data center, including generators, batteries, and all other sources of backup power.
(B)
The total backup capacity maintained for the covered data center.
(C)
The quantity of fuel stored on-site for backup power.
(D)
The total hours that the covered data center operated using backup power during the year covered by the report.
(E)
The annual emissions of carbon dioxide, and criteria pollutants for which there are national ambient air quality standards under section 109 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7409), from backup power during the year covered by the report.
(4) Property setback
The setback requirements for data center facilities in the State in which the covered data center is located, including any zoning variances, special use permits, or conditional approvals relating to the use of a facility or setback by the data center operator.
(d) Reports to EPA and DOE
(1) In general
Each electing State shall annually submit to the Secretary and the Administrator a compilation of—
(A)
the disclosures submitted to the electing State under subsection (b); and
(B)
the reports submitted to the electing State under subsection (c).
(2) Publication
The Secretary and the Administrator shall make publicly available on the website of the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, respectively, an annual report that includes each of—
(A)
the disclosures submitted directly to the Secretary and the Administrator under subsection (b);
(B)
the reports submitted directly to the Secretary and the Administrator under subsection (c);
(C)
the compilations submitted to the Secretary and the Administrator under paragraph (1); and
(D)
any information submitted to the Secretary and the Administrator under subsection (e)(3), in accordance with any standards established under subsection (e)(1)(C).
(e) Disclosures for Federal data centers
(1) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall establish standards for—
(A)
the compilation by appropriate Federal officials, as determined by the Director, of information relating to each dedicated Federal data center and dual-use data center utilized by the Federal Government;
(B)
the submission of that information to the committees of Congress with jurisdiction over those Federal officials;
(C)
the publication of that information pursuant to subsection (d)(2)(D), if applicable; and
(D)
with respect to dual-use data centers, disclosure and reporting by the applicable data center operator under subsections (b) and (c).
(2) Requirements
The standards established under paragraph (1) shall—
(A)
to the maximum extent practicable, require the disclosure of information consistent with the information required to be disclosed under subsection (c) with respect to covered data centers;
(B)
simultaneously—
(i)
promote data center accountability and transparency; and
(ii)
protect national security; and
(C)
include exemptions from disclosure to protect national security, as appropriate.
(3) Submission of information for publication
If the Director determines appropriate, the standards established under paragraph (1) may require appropriate Federal officials, as determined by the Director, to submit to the Secretary and the Administrator for publication under subsection (d)(2)(D) such information as is appropriate for publication under that subsection.
(4) Coordination
In carrying out this subsection, including the development of exemptions under paragraph (2)(C), the Director shall coordinate with appropriate officials of—
(A)
the Office of the Director of National Intelligence;
(B)
the Central Intelligence Agency;
(C)
the Department of Defense;
(D)
the Department of Homeland Security;
(E)
the Department of Justice;
(F)
the Department of Energy;
(G)
the Department of Commerce;
(H)
the Department of the Treasury; and
(I)
any other relevant Federal agency, as determined by the Director, including any Federal agency utilizing a data center for purposes relating to national security.
(f) Prohibition on use of nondisclosure agreements or confidentiality agreements To conceal information or avoid required disclosures
(1) In general
Notwithstanding any provision of State contract law or any agreement to the contrary, no nondisclosure agreement, confidentiality agreement, or similar contract or agreement shall operate—
(A)
to prevent, limit, delay, or penalize disclosure by any party to the contract or agreement to the Secretary, the Administrator, or an electing State of any information required to be disclosed to the Secretary, the Administrator, or the electing State under this section;
(B)
to prevent, limit, delay, or penalize disclosure by an electing State to—
(i)
the Secretary or the Administrator of any information required to be disclosed to the Secretary or the Administrator under this section; or
(ii)
an affected unit of local government of any information provided to the electing State under this section; or
(C)
to require any party to the contract or agreement to seek approval from a data center operator before responding to a request for information from the Secretary, the Administrator, or an electing State made pursuant to subsection (g)(4).
(2) Voidability
Any provision of a nondisclosure agreement, confidentiality agreement, or similar contract or agreement that purports to restrict disclosure in a manner prohibited under paragraph (1) is void as against public policy and unenforceable to the extent of such restriction.
(3) No liability for compliance
No electric utility, water authority, drinking water utility, unit of local government, or State agency shall be liable to a data center operator under any nondisclosure agreement, confidentiality agreement, or similar contract or agreement for any disclosure made in compliance with the requirements of this section.
(4) Federal preemption
To the extent that any provision of State contract law would render enforceable a provision of a nondisclosure agreement, confidentiality agreement, or similar contract or agreement prohibited or rendered unenforceable under this subsection, such provision of State law is preempted by this Act.
(5) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section prohibits a data center operator from entering into a nondisclosure agreement, confidentiality agreement, or similar contract or agreement covering information that is not required to be disclosed to the Secretary, the Administrator, or an electing State under this section.
(g) Enforcement
(1) Negligent violations
Any data center operator that negligently fails to submit a disclosure required under subsection (b) or a report required under subsection (c) shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $50,000 for each day of noncompliance.
(2) Knowing violations
Any data center operator that knowingly fails to submit a disclosure required under subsection (b) or a report required under subsection (c), or that knowingly submits a false or materially misleading disclosure or report, shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $100,000 for each day of noncompliance.
(3) State enforcement
An electing State may impose fines and engage in other enforcement activities consistent with this section and applicable State law.
(4) Requests for information
The Secretary and the Administrator, acting jointly, or an electing State may issue to an electric utility, water authority, or drinking water utility a request for information relating to matters required to be disclosed by a data center operator under subsection (b) or (c).
(h) Rulemaking
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Administrator shall jointly promulgate such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section, including regulations establishing—
(1)
standardized formatting for the disclosures under subsection (b) and the reports under subsection (c); and
(2)
procedures for submission to, and review by, the Secretary and the Administrator of disclosures under subsection (b), reports under subsection (c), and compilations under subsection (d)(1).