HouseH.R. 10570119th Congress
No Secrets for Data Centers Act of 2026
Full Text
Official text as published. Use Ctrl+F / Cmd+F to search within the document.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 10570 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10570
To limit the enforceability of predispute nondisclosure contract
clauses relating to the building of data centers, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 24, 2026
Mr. Landsman (for himself, Mr. Barrett, and Mr. Raskin) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary,
and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and
Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the
jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To limit the enforceability of predispute nondisclosure contract
clauses relating to the building of data centers, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``No Secrets for Data Centers Act of
2026''.
SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON JUDICIAL ENFORCEABILITY OF PREDISPUTE
NONDISCLOSURE CONTRACT CLAUSES RELATING TO THE BUILDING
OF DATA CENTERS.
(a) In General.--With respect to the building of a data center, a
covered predispute nondisclosure clause shall be void and unenforceable
in judicial and arbitration proceedings.
(b) Limitation on Public Incentives.--A data center operator may
not receive any public incentive that is conditioned on consent to
prohibit, restrict, or penalize disclosure of information related to
the building of a data center.
(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this Act:
(1) Nondisclosure clause.--The term ``nondisclosure
clause'' means a provision in a contract or agreement that
requires 1 or more parties to the contract or agreement not to
disclose or discuss conduct, the existence of a settlement
involving conduct, or information, covered by the terms and
conditions of the contract or agreement.
(2) Predispute nondisclosure clause.--The term ``predispute
nondisclosure clause'' means a nondisclosure clause agreed to
before a lawsuit is filed under Federal, State, or Tribal law.
(3) Covered predispute nondisclosure clause.--The term
``covered predispute nondisclosure clause'' means a predispute
nondisclosure clause in a contract or agreement--
(A) with respect to which a public official is a
party in that person's capacity as a public official;
or
(B) that contains a provision related to public
funds, public land, or a public incentive.
(4) Data center.--The term ``data center'' means--
(A) any facility that--
(i) primarily contains electronic equipment
used to process, store, and transmit digital
information; and
(ii) has a maximum rated power capacity or
projected peak power load of greater than 50
megawatts; or
(B) any group of facilities--
(i) the majority of which primarily contain
electronic equipment used to process, store,
and transmit digital information; and
(ii) that, in the aggregate, have a maximum
rated power capacity or projected peak power
load of greater than 50 megawatts.
(5) Data center operator.--The term ``data center
operator'' means any person or government entity that builds or
operates a data center or purchases data center services,
equipment, and facilities.
(6) Public official.--The term ``public official'' means an
individual who, at the time a contract or agreement is agreed
to, is an officer or employee of a Federal, State, Tribal, or
local unit of government in the United States.
(7) Public incentive.--The term ``public incentive''
includes a tax incentive, payment in lieu of a tax assessment,
a tax abatement, a bond, a note, a loan, a grant, or a rebate,
issued by a Federal, State, Tribal, or local government entity.
(d) Applicability.--This Act shall only apply with respect to a
claim that is filed under Federal, State, or Tribal law on or after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(e) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this Act may be construed--
(1) to prohibit a State or locality from enforcing a
provision of State law governing nondisclosure clauses that is
at least as protective of the right of an individual to speak
freely, as provided by this Act; or
(2) to prevent the filing of information related to the
building of a data center on a confidential basis with a public
utility commission or any other similar State agency that
regulates utilities, which filing is not for the purpose of the
receipt of a public incentive.
<all>