The bill amends the Arkansas Electric Utility and Gas Utility Storm Recovery Securitization Act to exempt certain data centers from storm recovery costs and charges. It introduces a new section, 23-18-913, which defines a "data center" as a facility that meets specific criteria, including being classified under certain North American Industry Classification System codes, making a capital investment of at least ten million dollars, and creating a minimum of fifty new full-time jobs with wages at least 150% of the local average. Additionally, the bill specifies that data centers with dedicated substations or ownership of substations will be exempt from storm recovery costs.
The bill also includes an emergency clause, emphasizing the urgency of attracting the data center industry to Arkansas to support economic development projects that are sensitive to site selection and market conditions. It asserts that the act is necessary for the state's economic growth and will take effect immediately upon approval by the Governor or under specific conditions if not vetoed.