Zoning & permitting
RCM Hill, LLC v. Hill County
Where it stands
Case lifecycle
- 1
Filed — current stage
A petition or complaint is filed, opening the case.
- 2
Answer
The defendant is served and files an answer or a plea to the jurisdiction.
- 3
Discovery
The parties exchange documents, written questions, and depositions.
- 4
Motions
Dispositive motions — summary judgment or a plea to the jurisdiction — are briefed and heard.
- 5
Trial
The case is tried to a judge or jury.
- 6
Judgment
The court enters a final judgment.
- 7
Appeal
The judgment is challenged in an appellate court.
- 8
Resolved
The case is finally resolved and closed.
Hill County rescinded the moratorium (June 2026); the developer's damages claim continues.
What the case is about
A data-center developer, RCM Hill, sued Hill County in federal court after the county adopted a one-year moratorium on data-center construction in May 2026. The developer, which had contracted to acquire about 800 acres for a roughly 1,235-megawatt facility, calls the moratorium unlawful and a regulatory taking of its property. The suit seeks a declaration that the moratorium is void, an injunction, and compensation under the federal and Texas takings clauses. Hill County later rescinded the moratorium and replaced it with a review process, but the developer's damages claim continues.
Why it matters
It is an early test of how far a Texas county can go to pause data-center development — and a reminder that these legal fights run in both directions, not only landowner against operator.
- Court
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas (Waco Division)
- Docket / cause no.
- 6:26-cv-00340
- Jurisdiction
- U.S. federal — W.D. Tex.
- Filed
- May 27, 2026
- Plaintiffs
- RCM Hill, LLC — a data-center developer
- Defendants
- Hill County and county officials
- Operator
- RCM Hill, LLC (proposed ~1,235 MW data center on about 800 acres)
- Relief sought
- Declaratory judgment voiding the moratorium, injunction, and takings compensation
Last action: Hill County rescinded the moratorium and adopted a review process; the developer's damages claim continues · June 10, 2026
Summary is our own words and describes only what the public filings assert. Nothing here characterizes the merits or predicts an outcome, and no party is described as liable before a court has ruled. This is general information, not legal advice. Follow the links above for the public record.