A bill aimed at protecting consumers from increased electric rates caused by the growth of data centers in Oklahoma faces a State Senate Energy Committee vote this week when it decides whether the measure should be sent to the State Senate.
Already approved by the House of Representatives on March 23 in a 92-2 vote, HB2992 by Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, is known as the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act.
The bill lays out what it considers to be protection for consumers and ratepayers and is one of only a few bills remaining in the legislative session to focus on protections from data centers and their demand for electric power and large amounts of water.
“Any applicable governing body responsible for reviewing electric supplier rates shall ensure that residential, commercial and industrial customers are protected from paying unjust rates resulting directly from service to large load customers. The applicable governing body shall ensure that all rates are fair, just and reasonable and costs and revenues are assigned and allocated among customers in accordance with cost causation principles.”
When the bill received approval in a House committee, Rep. Boles, who is also a candidate for the Republican nomination for Corporation Commission commented, ““I’m very encouraged to see this legislation move forward with such strong support. As Oklahoma continues to grow and attract new industry, we have to make sure the cost of that growth does not fall on hardworking families and small businesses. This bill is about fairness and making sure Oklahomans are not forced to subsidize the infrastructure needs of large data centers.”
If the bill makes it through the State Senate and has the support of Gov. Kevin Stitt, it would become effective July 1, 2026. Under the bill, the rules governing such rate controls would be created by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and enforce it as well.
SUBJECT: REVISED Energy Meeting
DATE: Thursday, April 16, 2026
TIME: 10:00 AM or AFTER AM SESSION
LOCATION: Senate Room 230, State Capitol Building AGENDA:
REVISED TO ADD AGENDA
- The following executive nominations are to be considered for approval:Richard Auer, Lenapah, to the Environmental Quality Board, to serve a five-year term ending January 31, 2031, succeeding himself. (Daniels)Jacob Bull, Ponca City, to the Air Quality Advisory Council, to serve serving a partial term ending Jun 15, 2026, succeeding Gregory Elliott. (Coleman)Jacob Bull, Ponca City, to the Air Quality Advisory Council, to serve serving a seven-year term ending June 15, 2033, succeeding himself. (Coleman)
Tommy Caldwell, Shady Point, to the Oklahoma Mining Commission, to serve a seven-year term ending January 1, 2033, succeeding himself. (Burns)
Garry L. Keele, II, Tulsa, to the Air Quality Advisory Council, to serve serving a seven-year term ending June 15, 2033, succeeding himself. (Dossett)
Megan Langley, Westville, to the Arkansas-Oklahoma Arkansas River Compact Commission, to serve a four-year term ending January 1, 2030, succeeding Colby W. Davis. (Woods)
Kevin Froman, Langley, to the Oklahoma Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board, to serve a four-year term ending June 30 , 2030, succeeding himself. (Bergstrom)
- HB2992 By Boles et al of the House and Green et al of the Senate
Corporation Commission; creating the Data Center Customer Protection Act of 2026; effective date; emergency. - HB3183 By Archer et al of the House and Murdock of the Senate (Proposed Comm. Sub., req. #3935)
[Electric utilities; creating the GET Over Congestion (Grid Enhancing Technology Over Congestion) Act; effective date.] - HB3464 By Boles et al of the House and Paxton et al of the Senate
Energy; creating the Energy Storage Resource Safety Act; energy storage resources; report; emergency operations plan; State Fire Marshall; fees; Solar Energy Development Act; statements; records; Corporation Commission; emergency. - HB4170 By Staires of the House and Weaver of the Senate
Crimes and punishments; making certain acts unlawful; effective date. - HB4338 By Moore et al of the House and Green of the Senate
Oklahoma Brine Development Act; modifications; modifying definitions; defining terms; Corporation Commission; emergency. - Other business
Senator Grant Green, Chair
Senator Tom Woods, Vice Chair