Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (25 Mar 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
What this bill does
S. 4214, the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, would halt construction or upgrading of new and existing "artificial intelligence data centers" — defined to cover large facilities used to develop or operate AI at scale, or those exceeding 20 megawatts of power with high-density server racks or liquid cooling. The moratorium would remain in place until Congress enacts laws requiring federal pre-approval of AI products, ensuring AI's economic gains benefit workers rather than only company owners, and setting conditions for any future data centers, such as no increase in consumer utility bills, no added climate or environmental harm, community approval rights, a ban on government subsidies, and union labor standards. The bill also directs the Secretary of Energy to submit and publicly post quarterly reports on data centers' finances, energy and water use, emissions, wages, jobs, and subsidy status, with authority to verify compliance. Separately, it would require the Commerce Department to restrict exports of computing hardware for AI data-center or large-scale AI training use to countries lacking comparable safeguard laws.
The bill would primarily affect companies building or operating large AI data centers, their workers and surrounding communities, utility customers, and countries or firms seeking U.S. computing hardware exports for AI purposes. It aims to pause large-scale AI infrastructure expansion pending broader federal AI safeguards.
The bill was introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders on March 25, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. No further action has occurred; the committee would need to review and advance the bill before it could proceed to a Senate floor vote.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
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.
Timeline
25 Mar 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Common questions
- What does S. 4214 do?
- S. 4214, the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act, would halt construction or upgrading of new and existing "artificial intelligence data centers" — defined to cover large facilities used to develop or operate AI at scale, or those exceeding 20 megawatts of power with high-density server racks or liquid cooling. The moratorium would remain in place until Congress enacts laws requiring federal pre-approval of AI products, ensuring AI's economic gains benefit workers rather than only company owners, and setting conditions for any future data centers, such as no increase in consumer utility bills, no added climate or environmental harm, community approval rights, a ban on government subsidies, and union labor standards. The bill also directs the Secretary of Energy to submit and publicly post quarterly reports on data centers' finances, energy and water use, emissions, wages, jobs, and subsidy status, with authority to verify compliance. Separately, it would require the Commerce Department to restrict exports of computing hardware for AI data-center or large-scale AI training use to countries lacking comparable safeguard laws. The bill would primarily affect companies building or operating large AI data centers, their workers and surrounding communities, utility customers, and countries or firms seeking U.S. computing hardware exports for AI purposes. It aims to pause large-scale AI infrastructure expansion pending broader federal AI safeguards. The bill was introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders on March 25, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. No further action has occurred; the committee would need to review and advance the bill before it could proceed to a Senate floor vote.
- Has S. 4214 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 4214. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 4214?
- S. 4214 was sponsored by Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (I-VT), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 4214?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (25 Mar 2026).
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