SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A new executive order in South Bend will bar officials from entering nondisclosure agreements connected to data centers.

Mayor James Mueller announced the order during a press conference on September 16. According to a release from the mayor, the order bans all city employees, entities, or mayoral appointees can enter an agreement with a data enter that "restricts public discourse." Any agreement would also have to explicitly state it is a public record subject to Indiana's Access to Public Records Act.

"Today's order removes all doubt that the City is committed to operating transparently and providing agreement terms on project information to the public," said Mayor Mueller. "When the public can see the terms and details of a project, they can make an informed determination about its merits and hold officials accountable. That is the standard South Bend residents can and should expect from their government."

The order took effect immediately and applies to all data center agreements on or after the signing.