Bill · H.R. 10465· House(119-HR-10465)
Public Lands Accountability Act
- Introduced
- 9/16/2026
- Last activity
- 9/16/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Dina Titus
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Public Lands Accountability Act. It sets clear rules for using public lands to build and run hyperscale data centers. The bill requires the Bureau of Land Management to treat any permit or lease for these data centers as a major federal action. This means projects must go through strict environmental reviews and cannot skip these steps. Companies must also share details about water and energy use, and give people a chance to speak up. Finally, companies have to submit workforce plans detailing expected jobs and wages.
Yes· 3 of 9
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+7
The bill mandates that permits and leases for hyperscale data centers undergo major environmental reviews under NEPA and explicitly evaluates water and resource impacts.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+7
The bill prohibits categorical exclusions and imposes rigorous environmental impact statements and public engagement for data center projects on public lands.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+6
The legislation requires structured public comment periods, public hearings, and detailed resource and workforce analyses for public land projects.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-3
The bill increases regulatory burdens and mandates comprehensive environmental impact reviews and workforce reporting for commercial data center operators.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(b) gives the public a chance to give feedback on draft environmental impact statements through a written comment period of at least 45 days and at least one public hearing in the affected community. This is positive because it lets everyday people have a direct say in what happens in their local areas.
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Section 2(c) requires the Director of the Bureau of Land Management to analyze the amount of water and electricity expected to be consumed, as well as the effects on regional water supplies and drought resilience. This is beneficial because it keeps our communities informed about vital resource usage.
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Section 3 requires applicants to submit a workforce plan detailing the number of construction and permanent jobs expected to be created, how many construction jobs will go to local state residents, and whether workers will be paid prevailing wages. This helps hold officials and companies accountable for local job creation and fair pay.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2(a) and Section 2(d) make every permit, lease, or authorization for a hyperscale data center a major Federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act and strictly ban the use of categorical exclusions. This could be viewed as a negative burden because it creates heavy bureaucratic hurdles and delays for processing project applications.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+7Improves Public Land Management+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6Increases Federal Power+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Union Workers+5Good For Business Owners-3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+5Improves Economic Growth+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Big Tech Regulation+6
- 9/28/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/16/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
