Dear Friends, 

During Week 7, many Senate committees held their last meetings to wrap up their work for this session, including the one I chair, the Senate Committee on PreK-12 Education Appropriations. Throughout my time as chair of this committee, our committee staff has proved to be invaluable. I want to thank Tim Elwell, Jessica Grace, Heather Gray, Brian Underhill, Karl Washington, and Regina Alsarou for all their hard work preparing me and our committee members for each meeting and helping us craft a PreK-12 education budget that we can be very proud of. We also had a special moment during our last meeting, when 7-year-old Kyler Nixon testified before our committee, showing such composure and wisdom beyond his years. It’s moments like that, with special children like him, that reassures me the future is in great hands. 

This week, we celebrated Children’s Day at the Capitol, which included a Storybook Village, where I had the opportunity to read to some children in the Capitol Courtyard. I look forward to this day each session, because it is a great reminder of what it’s really all about. 

I also had the opportunity to meet with several important groups throughout the week, including representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and CHAMPIONS, the official advisory council of the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office, who are all former foster children. I always appreciate these meetings, as I get to learn more about organizations like these and their priorities, and share the important work we are doing this session in the Florida Senate. It was also great to see a few familiar faces and welcome friends from back home to the Capitol this week, including Lakeland Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley and some of my favorite constituents - Tom Johnston, Brandon Morris and Maya Neal.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your state senator for another session. I look forward to keeping you updated on all we accomplish this year. 

Forward March, 

Danny Burgess

State Senator

District 23

This Week in Photos

Florida Senate Advances Safeguards to Protect Floridians from Data Center Costs

The demand and growth of large-scale data center facilities are creating significant challenges for local communities, infrastructure, and natural resources across the nation. That’s why I voted for Senate Bill 484, which passed the Florida Senate unanimously on Thursday, to establish a comprehensive framework to responsibly manage data center growth and protect Floridians from increased utility costs associated with large-scale data centers and other large electricity users.

Data centers require significant energy to operate. The bill defines these facilities as “large load customers” with an anticipated monthly peak demand of 50 megawatts (MW) or more. For perspective, the International Energy Agency estimates that a 100 MW data center uses roughly the same amount of water for consumption and cooling as 2,600 U.S. households.

To protect Floridians from footing the electric bill, SB 484 requires the Florida Public Service Commission to establish minimum tariff and service requirements for large load customers to pay the full cost of their electric service, including generation, infrastructure upgrades, operations, and reliability measures. It also includes strong financial protection measures designed to safeguard Florida’s ratepayers against the risk of nonpayment of these costs. Utilities are authorized to curtail facility service to prioritize public safety and grid stability during emergencies.

SB 484 prohibits an economic development agency from entering into nondisclosure agreements or other contracts that restrict public information about business activities involving the location, relocation, or expansion of a data center, so that residents can remain informed and local leaders can understand the impacts of proposed developments in their communities. The bill empowers local governments to maintain authority over land use and zoning of data centers, ensuring autonomy over key planning decisions.

The bill strengthens national security by prohibiting public utilities from knowingly serving large-scale facilities owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by countries of concern. The establishment of a distinct large-scale data center consumptive use permit (CUP) and rigorous requirements safeguard Florida’s water resources. Facilities must prove their water use is reasonable, in the public interest, and will not harm existing users or natural resources. It also requires public hearings, detailed water conservation plans, and the use of reclaimed water when feasible.

Free enterprise and economic opportunity should not threaten public safety, overwhelm infrastructure, shift cost onto families, or significantly deplete our natural resources. SB 484 protects Floridians, secures our electric grid and water supply, and ensures Florida remains a competitive force without sacrificing our communities. 

The bill now moves to the Florida House of Representatives for consideration.

Introduced in 2026 by Senator Danny Burgess

S 258 Public Records/Medical Examiners 

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 260 Removal, Storage, and Cleanup of Electric Vehicles

Last Action: 2/19/2026 CS/CS/CS by Rules read 1st time

S 262 Storage and Disposal of Prescription Drugs and Sharps

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 326 Curators of Estates

Last Action: 2/25/2026 Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

S 420 Patriotic Displays at Public Schools

Last Action: 2/19/2026 In Messages

S 504 Code Inspector Body Cameras

Last Action: 2/11/2026 In Messages

S 506 Public Records/Body Camera Recordings Recorded by a Code Inspector

Last Action: 2/11/2026 In Messages

S 558 Standards for Stormwater Systems

Last Action: 1/29/2026 CS by Environment and Natural Resources read 1st time

S 642 Foreign and Alien Bail Bond Insurers

Last Action: 2/25/2026 Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

S 658 Water Safety Requirements for the Rental of Residential and Vacation Properties

Last Action: 2/19/2026 In Messages

S 674 Grandparent Visitation Rights

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 736 Medicaid Coverage of Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 772 Limited Licenses for Portable Electronics or Eyewear Insurance

Last Action: 2/26/2026 In Messages

S 798 Locations of Sheriffs’ Offices

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 872 Division of State Fire Marshal

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 1096 Remedies for Violations of the Florida Civil Rights Act

Last Action: 2/26/2026 On Committee agenda-- Rules, 03/03/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building 

S 1226 Refrigerant Safety and Agricultural Continuity

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 1376 Grants for Genetic Counseling Education

Last Action: 2/26/2026 On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 03/02/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building 

S 1512 Space Florida

Last Action: 1/27/2026 Now in Finance and Tax

S 1514 Public Records and Meetings/Space Florida

Last Action: 2/3/2026 Now in Governmental Oversight and Accountability

S 1552 Experimental Treatments for Terminal Conditions and Life-threatening Rare Diseases

Last Action: 1/22/2026 Introduced

S 1554 Public Records/Experimental Treatment Outcomes

Last Action: 1/22/2026 Introduced

S 1556 Experimental Treatment Access Trust Fund/Department of Health

Last Action: 1/22/2026 Introduced

S 1652 Terminology Associated with Autism

Last Action: 1/22/2026 Introduced

S 1656 Designation of the Official State Flagship

Last Action: 2/25/2026 Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

S 1666 Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Last Action: 1/22/2026 Introduced

The Florida Senate | Flsenate.gov