Assembly Bill 245 proposes modifications to the sales and use tax exemption for qualified data centers in Wisconsin. The bill redefines what constitutes a qualified data center by allowing buildings to house both individual and networked server computers. It also introduces new criteria for certification by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), which includes the ability for an owner, operator, or tenant to rent or own space and access essential resources such as utilities and enhanced security features. The bill renumbers and amends existing statutes to incorporate these changes, specifically modifying sections 238.40 (1) (b) and creating new subsections 238.40 (1) (b) 1. b. and 238.40 (1) (bm).

Additionally, the bill explicitly states that buildings used for or to facilitate cryptocurrency creation and transactions are not eligible for the sales and use tax exemption. This exclusion aims to clarify the types of operations that can benefit from the tax exemption, ensuring that the focus remains on traditional data center activities. The bill is set to take effect on the first day of the third month following its publication.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 238.40(1)(b)(intro.), 238.40