Bill would ban Minnesota local NDAs with data‑center and other developers
A bipartisan bill moving through the Minnesota Legislature would ban local elected officials and governments from signing nondisclosure agreements in economic‑development negotiations with data‑center and other developers, and has cleared at least one committee. The measure gained attention after a commissioner said signing an NDA for a data center was “a breach of trust” and now supports the proposed ban.
📌 Key Facts
- A bipartisan bill in the Minnesota Legislature would ban local elected officials and local governments from signing nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) in economic‑development negotiations.
- The measure is written to apply explicitly to elected officials and government entities, not merely to limit the authority of municipal staff.
- The bill has cleared at least one committee and is described as 'moving through the Legislature,' indicating continued momentum.
- Support for the proposal is bipartisan, signaling backing across party lines rather than being driven solely by one party or a narrow interest group.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2023, data centers in Minnesota supported 75,350 jobs, including direct, indirect, and induced effects.
Economic Contributions of Data Centers in the United States — Data Center Coalition
Data centers contributed $6.5 billion in labor income in Minnesota in 2023.
Economic Contributions of Data Centers in the United States — Data Center Coalition
Data centers contributed $11.0 billion to Minnesota's GDP in 2023.
Economic Contributions of Data Centers in the United States — Data Center Coalition
Minnesota's 42 data centers consumed 1.6 billion kWh of electricity in 2023.
Dept. of Rev. estimates Minnesota's 42 data centers consumed 1.6B kWh of electricity in 2023 — St. Cloud Times
Tax revenues from data center operations in Minnesota increased to $8.9 million in 2024, with net fiscal impacts being positive.
Tax Expenditure Evaluation — Legislative Budget Office
If all 10 currently proposed data centers in Minnesota come online, they would consume as much energy as the entire state of Minnesota.
Data Centers — Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- This article reports that the bipartisan bill has cleared at least one committee and is now 'moving through the Legislature,' signaling continued momentum.
- It frames the measure explicitly as a ban on local elected officials and governments signing NDAs in economic‑development negotiations, not just a limit on staff.
- It reinforces that support is bipartisan, underscoring that this is not just a niche reform pushed by one party or by environmental groups.