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S. 4214 119th Congress Senate

Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act

Official title: A bill to impose a moratorium on the construction of new data centers until legislation is enacted that safeguards the public from the dangers of artificial intelligence.

Introduced: March 25, 2026 Introduced by: Bernard Sanders Independent · Vermont See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications
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 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 25, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Mar 25, 2026
Introduced in Senate
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What's happening now March 25, 2026

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act

This bill prohibits building or upgrading artificial intelligence (AI) data centers until laws regulating AI and AI data centers are enacted. It also restricts the export of AI-related computing hardware to countries without similar laws in effect.

Specifically, no AI data center may be constructed or upgraded until laws are enacted (1) subjecting AI products to prerelease federal review and approval for safety and effectiveness, and (2) ensuring that AI-related economic gains benefit workers and the people of the United States (including by preventing AI-related job loss). 

Further, with respect to AI data centers built or upgraded after the moratorium ends, these laws must ensure

  • such centers do not increase consumers’ utility bills and do not harm the environment;
  • affected communities are empowered to approve or reject construction or upgrades;
  • such centers create union jobs subject to labor standards; and
  • no government subsidy is provided for the construction, upgrade, or operation of such centers.

Under the bill, the term AI data center includes collocated structures and equipment under common ownership or control used for AI development or operation that meet certain power and design specifications.

Additionally, the Department of Commerce must prohibit the export, reexport, or in-country transfer of specified computing hardware for AI-related use to any country that does not have comparable laws or regulations in effect.

Finally, the Department of Energy must periodically report on AI data centers’ funding sources, energy and water use, and labor.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 9442 Identical bill Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Lobbying activity 14

Registered lobbyists who named this bill in their disclosure filings. Source: federal Lobbying Disclosure Act filings.

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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 4214: Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act. 119th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-4214/
MLA
"S. 4214: Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act." 119th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-4214/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 4214, 119th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-4214/.
Markdown link
[S. 4214: Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-4214/)
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