Senate Bill 244 proposes modifications to the sales and use tax exemption for qualified data centers in Wisconsin. The bill amends the definition of a qualified data center to allow for buildings that house both individual and networked server computers, expanding the scope of what qualifies for the exemption. Additionally, it introduces a new criterion for certification by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), allowing certification if the buildings provide opportunities for owners, operators, or tenants to rent or own essential resources such as space, utilities, and enhanced security features.

Furthermore, the bill explicitly states that WEDC cannot certify buildings used for cryptocurrency creation or the processes associated with verifying and securing cryptocurrency transactions as qualified data centers eligible for the tax exemption. The changes aim to modernize the criteria for data centers while ensuring that certain activities, like cryptocurrency operations, are excluded from the benefits of the tax exemption. The bill is set to take effect three months after publication.

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