This bill amends RSA 674 to authorize municipalities to regulate data centers within commercial and industrial zones. It introduces a new subdivision that defines a "data center" and outlines specific zoning authority for local legislative bodies to permit their establishment. Key provisions include restrictions on the location of data centers, such as prohibiting them within 2,640 feet of passenger rail stations or high-capacity transit facilities, and requiring written confirmation from electric utilities regarding adequate electrical capacity. Additionally, the bill mandates that noise levels from data centers near residential districts must not exceed ambient noise levels by more than 5 percent, necessitating a noise study prior to site plan approval.

The bill also establishes design and siting standards for data centers, including setbacks for mechanical and electrical equipment, landscaping requirements, and architectural variations for building facades. It requires a minimum 30-foot-wide perimeter landscape buffer and stipulates that all street frontages must include a detached sidewalk and shaded pedestrian pathways. Furthermore, the planning board, with local legislative approval, is empowered to adopt additional regulations to implement these standards. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.