Texas AG Paxton unveils data center restrictions he plans to pursue if elected to Senate

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, unveiled a four-point plan to "fiercely advocate" for Gov. Greg Abbot's state-level data center restrictions. 

Paxton's plan includes sponsoring or backing various federal legislation, including bills that prohibit the use of Chinese technology to power data centers. He would also pursue legislation to hold data center developers criminally liable if their infrastructure “empowers AI chatbots that undermine children’s safety," The Hill reported. 

The attorney general also said he'd co-sponsor the Decentralized Access to Technology Alternatives Act, a bill from Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). The legislation exempts new, off-grid electricity providers from some federal regulations, which aims to prevent data centers' electricity use from increasing electricity rates for consumers. 

Paxton also said that he will "champion" Abbot's data center plan, which prohibits building AI data centers in Texas neighborhoods, repeals tax incentives, and imposes other restrictions on how and where they're built. 

"My Texas First Data Center Plan will protect our grid, our communities, and our children while ensuring America beats Communist China in the AI race," Paxton said in a post on X.