The proposed bill aims to establish the Citizens' Data Center Transparency Act in West Virginia, specifically by adding a new section, 24-2-23, to the Code of West Virginia. This legislation prohibits the use of data centers for unconstitutional surveillance, particularly against the backdrop of the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article III, Section 6 of the West Virginia Constitution. It explicitly states that no data center authorized under this bill can facilitate or support warrantless data collection by the National Security Agency (NSA) or any other federal agency, and it prohibits the state from providing any support to such surveillance activities.

Additionally, the bill mandates that data center operators report annually to the Joint Standing Committee on Technology and Infrastructure. These reports must include details on the categories and amounts of data collected, the purposes for which the data is used, and a list of end users, including government agencies and other entities involved with the data centers. The Joint Standing Committee is also empowered to review the status of data centers in the state, ensuring the protection of citizens' rights and addressing any emerging concerns through investigative powers.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 24-2-23