Legis Daily

SOLAR Act

USA118th CongressHR-7923| House 
| Updated: 9/3/2024
Mike Bost

Mike Bost

Republican Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (4)
Brad Finstad (Republican)Nicholas A. Langworthy (Republican)Austin Scott (Republican)Derrick Van Orden (Republican)

Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee, Agriculture Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Securing Our Lands and Resources Act or the SOLAR Act This bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from providing financial assistance for certain projects that would result in the conversion of covered farmland for solar energy production. Under the bill, covered farmland generally refers to prime farmland, unique farmland, and farmland that is of statewide or local importance. Conversion means any activity that results in the covered farmland no longer meeting certain requirements for agricultural production, activity, or use. The bill includes an exception for certain smaller projects that have the approval or support from the local county and municipality. Any project that receives financial assistance from USDA under an exception must (1) develop a mitigation and remediation plan for the project (e.g., implementing best practices to protect future soil health and productivity), and (2) ensure that sufficient funds are provided for the decommissioning of the solar energy production system and the remediation and restoration of the farmland.
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Timeline
Apr 10, 2024
Introduced in House
Apr 10, 2024
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Sep 3, 2024
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
  • April 10, 2024
    Introduced in House


  • April 10, 2024
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.


  • September 3, 2024
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.

Agriculture and Food

SOLAR Act

USA118th CongressHR-7923| House 
| Updated: 9/3/2024
Securing Our Lands and Resources Act or the SOLAR Act This bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from providing financial assistance for certain projects that would result in the conversion of covered farmland for solar energy production. Under the bill, covered farmland generally refers to prime farmland, unique farmland, and farmland that is of statewide or local importance. Conversion means any activity that results in the covered farmland no longer meeting certain requirements for agricultural production, activity, or use. The bill includes an exception for certain smaller projects that have the approval or support from the local county and municipality. Any project that receives financial assistance from USDA under an exception must (1) develop a mitigation and remediation plan for the project (e.g., implementing best practices to protect future soil health and productivity), and (2) ensure that sufficient funds are provided for the decommissioning of the solar energy production system and the remediation and restoration of the farmland.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 10, 2024
Introduced in House
Apr 10, 2024
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Sep 3, 2024
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
  • April 10, 2024
    Introduced in House


  • April 10, 2024
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.


  • September 3, 2024
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
Mike Bost

Mike Bost

Republican Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (4)
Brad Finstad (Republican)Nicholas A. Langworthy (Republican)Austin Scott (Republican)Derrick Van Orden (Republican)

Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee, Agriculture Committee

Agriculture and Food

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted