Senators Greg Rothman and Tracy Pennycuick have introduced Senate Bill 939, aiming to make Pennsylvania a leader in data center and AI development. The bill proposes the creation of the Commonwealth Opportunity Zone (COZ), a regulatory relief designation intended to attract job creation and economic opportunities statewide.
“AI is fundamentally transforming our society and its rapid growth is generating unprecedented demand for data centers and along with them, good-paying jobs,” said Senator Rothman. “This legislation was crafted to get government out of the way of progress and make Pennsylvania the top choice for every AI company looking to invest resources and create jobs.”
The COZ aims to provide broad-based economic benefits across Pennsylvania by making every area attractive for these job opportunities. The bill includes a “Fast Track” permitting process for data center development, ensuring timely approval of essential permits while maintaining local control through consistent ordinance parameters.
A significant aspect of the bill is the establishment of a regulatory sandbox for AI, Data Center, and Emerging Technologies. This framework will allow industry leaders to collaborate with state agencies to streamline regulations and accelerate innovation.
Senate Bill 939 was introduced alongside U.S. Senator Dave McCormick’s Inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. The summit features President Donald J. Trump, his cabinet members, global leaders in energy and AI, international investors, labor representatives, and trade officials.
“Senator McCormick’s Energy and Innovation Summit will powerfully showcase Pennsylvania’s historic opportunity to both lead and power the nation’s AI boom,” Rothman stated. “We have the energy resources, and the time to unleash those resources is now. The untapped economic opportunity for Pennsylvanians is truly incredible.”
The bill has been referred to the Senate Communications and Technology Committee for further consideration.
