Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB400

Introduced
1/27/26  

Caption

Requiring data centers to use closed-loop cooling systems to mitigate water consumption.

Impact

The introduction of SB400 is anticipated to have a significant impact on state laws, particularly regarding environmental regulations and water usage for industrial operations. The bill empowers the attorney general, or local prosecutors, to pursue legal remedies against entities that fail to comply with the requirements. This enforcement capability serves to underscore the state's commitment to mitigating the environmental footprint of data centers, which have been criticized for their high water consumption and potential contribution to climate change.

Summary

Senate Bill 400 aims to address environmental concerns associated with the operation of large data centers in Kansas by mandating the use of closed-loop cooling systems. This legislation seeks to conserve and protect the state from the on-site water consumption impact that is a direct result of cooling processes within these facilities. Under the provisions of this bill, large load data centers, defined as those with a monthly electrical demand of 20 megawatts or more, are restricted from utilizing open-loop cooling systems which discharge water vapor into the atmosphere. Instead, they are required to implement closed-loop systems designed to prevent any contact between the cooling fluids and ambient air.

Conclusion

Ultimately, SB400 represents a proactive legislative move to harness the balance between technological advancement and environmental stewardship. By enforcing stricter regulations on water usage in data centers, Kansas aims to position itself as a leader in sustainable practices while also addressing the growing need for data services. The bill’s success will depend on effective implementation and compliance, as well as ongoing dialogue between industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding SB400 may stem from the balance between industrial growth and environmental responsibilities. Proponents of the bill argue that it is essential for promoting sustainable water usage practices and protecting the state's natural resources. However, opponents might raise concerns about the operational costs and technical challenges faced by data centers in transitioning to closed-loop cooling systems. Additionally, there may be debates on whether such regulations could deter investment in the data center industry in Kansas, potentially impacting economic development efforts.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB6

Providing a sales tax exemption for sales of electricity to residential premises by municipally owned or operated utilities.

KS SB8

Exempting the sale of firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition, firearm safes and firearm safety devices from the retatilers' sales tax.

KS SB2

Eliminating the income limit to qualify for the subtraction modification exempting social security benefits, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, citing the increased property tax homestead refund claim section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, decreasing the normal privilege tax rate, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, decreasing the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by a school district; providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund, reducing the state rate of tax on sales of food and food ingredients and modifying the percent credited to the state highway fund from revenue collected.

KS SB4

Requiring all advance voting ballots be returned by 7:00 p.m. on election day.

KS HB2001

Authorizing the secretary of commerce to enter into agreements with major professional sports franchises to establish STAR bond projects for a major professional sports complex, providing for additional revenue sources, expanding the powers and discretion of the secretary and making other changes to the STAR bonds financing act to facilitate such projects, limiting the secretary’s authority to approve such projects to one year unless extended by the legislative coordinating council, authorizing the Kansas development finance authority to issue STAR bonds for such projects, transferring funds under certain circumstances from the state gaming revenues fund to the attracting professional sports to Kansas fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and, if approved by the legislative coordinating council, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

KS HB2003

Establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, modifying the definition of household income and increasing the appraised value threshold for eligibility of seniors and disabled veterans related to increased property tax claims and citing the section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, providing property tax exemptions for certain personal property including watercraft, marine equipment, off-road vehicles, motorized bicycles and certain trailers, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value, providing for certain exclusions from the prohibition of paying taxes under protest after a valuation notice appeal and providing four prior years' values on the annual valuation notice.

KS HB2002

Expanding medical assistance eligibility and enacting the cutting healthcare costs for all Kansans act.

KS SB7

Authorizing federally licensed firearm dealers, in addition to county sheriffs, to receive applications for concealed carry licenses and forward such applications to the attorney general, prohibiting sheriffs from assessing any fee related to application services and allowing dealers to assess a fee related to application services not to exceed $20.

KS SB1

Modifying income tax rates for individuals, exempting all social security benefits from Kansas income tax, increasing the Kansas standard deduction and the Kansas personal exemption, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, decreasing the privilege tax normal tax, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value for property tax valuation purposes, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund and abolishing the local ad valorem tax reduction fund and the county and city revenue sharing fund.

KS SB5

Authorizing counties to impose an earnings tax.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.