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Bell County

Resolutions enacted
ResolutionPassed

Bell County commissioners pass data center resolution as legislative priority

The Bell County Commissioners Court approved a set of legislative priorities including a resolution seeking greater local authority to regulate large-scale developments such as data centers.

  1. Jun 15, 2026Vote — passed — The Bell County Commissioners Court approved a set of legislative priorities including a resolution seeking greater local authority to regulate large-scale developments such as data centers. source
Proposed moratoriumUnder review

Bell County Commissioners Court holds workshop on proposed data center moratorium

More than 40 residents spoke at a packed Bell County Commissioners Court workshop on a moratorium on data center development proposed by Precinct 4 Commissioner Louie Minor, though Minor and other commissioners acknowledged a countywide moratorium may not be legally permissible for a Texas county, with a resolution drafted by County Judge David Blackburn stopping short of an outright ban.

  1. Jun 1, 2026Hearing held — More than 40 residents spoke at a packed Bell County Commissioners Court workshop on a moratorium on data center development proposed by Precinct 4 Commissioner Louie Minor, though Minor and other commissioners acknowledged a countywide moratorium may not be legally permissible for a Texas county, with a resolution drafted by County Judge David Blackburn stopping short of an outright ban. source
Economic development agreementUnder review

Bell County to hold public hearing and adopt amended data-center tax abatement policy by September 8

After residents at a Commissioners Court meeting pushed to scrap tax abatements for data centers entirely, commissioners did not commit to ending abatements but agreed the current policy needs to change, and the county set a July 27 public hearing with plans to adopt an amended Tax Abatement Economic Development Incentive Policy by September 8.

  1. Jul 27, 2026Hearing scheduled — After residents at a Commissioners Court meeting pushed to scrap tax abatements for data centers entirely, commissioners did not commit to ending abatements but agreed the current policy needs to change, and the county set a July 27 public hearing with plans to adopt an amended Tax Abatement Economic Development Incentive Policy by September 8. source
Economic development agreementTabled

Bell County Commissioners Court tables proposed changes to tax abatement policy on data centers

Commissioners voted to table proposed changes to the county's Tax Abatement Economic Development Incentive Policy regarding data centers after County Judge David Blackburn warned that removing data centers from tax-abatement consideration would leave the county with no regulatory leverage over the projects.

  1. Jun 15, 2026Vote — tabled — Commissioners voted to table proposed changes to the county's Tax Abatement Economic Development Incentive Policy regarding data centers after County Judge David Blackburn warned that removing data centers from tax-abatement consideration would leave the county with no regulatory leverage over the projects. source
ResolutionPassed

Bell County Commissioners Court adopts legislative-priorities resolution seeking more local authority over data centers

The Bell County Commissioners Court approved a resolution as part of its adopted 2027 legislative priorities seeking greater local authority to regulate large-scale developments such as data centers, following extensive public comment urging a moratorium and an end to tax abatements for data centers.

  1. Jun 15, 2026Vote — passed — The Bell County Commissioners Court approved a resolution as part of its adopted 2027 legislative priorities seeking greater local authority to regulate large-scale developments such as data centers, following extensive public comment urging a moratorium and an end to tax abatements for data centers. source
Proposed moratoriumHearing scheduled

Data center moratorium workshop

Commissioners Court noticed a workshop to discuss a data center moratorium. A resident spoke in opposition to data centers at a related meeting.

  1. Jun 1, 2026Hearing scheduled — Workshop noticed to discuss a data center moratorium.