Sappey bill to ensure data center emergency preparedness clears committee
Rep. Christina Sappey July 1, 2026
HARRISBURG, July 1 – On Tuesday, legislation that would ensure first responders have the tools they need to respond to potential emergencies at large scale data centers in their communities was reported out of the House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, according to the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Christina Sappey.
House Bill 2535 requires that floor plans and infrastructure inventories are provided annually to local fire officials as a condition of occupancy.
“Without this vital information, our responders would not know what they were walking into, and every minute counts, not only for them, but for the entire surrounding community,” said Sappey. “This gives responders critical safety information before and during a crisis, and helps them prepare for potential hazards like battery storage, cooling agents and fuel storage locations.”
Additionally, Sappey said that this legislation balances protecting sensitive facility information while strengthening emergency preparedness and public safety for the communities that house them, as the bill protects submitted information as confidential security information.
The bill also provides for civil penalties or possible occupancy revocation for continued noncompliance, in addition to allowing municipalities to adopt stricter fire safety or reporting requirements.
“It is our responsibility to give those on the ground all the tools they need to act quickly and safely in these scenarios as they work to protect all of us,” Sappey said.
The bill now advances to the full House for consideration.