S 6286 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Establishes the agrivoltaics viability pilot program within the farmland viability program

Summary

Establishes the agrivoltaics viability pilot program to provide grants to identify the best practices and strategies for agrivoltaics and dual-use solar energy projects that protect soil health during construction and decommissioning of solar arrays, utilize sustainable agricultural production practices, monitor any benefits solar energy may have on farms and to the state, track economic viability, study the commercialization of dual-use solar energy projects, and encourage equitable engagement of stakeholders.

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Jan 2026

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

Assembly Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 7, 2025 Last action Jan 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S6286 → S6286A · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify definitions and expand eligibility criteria for the agrivoltaics pilot program. The changes add specific examples of what counts as agricultural activities and explicitly exclude certain uses like pollinator habitats when they are the sole farming activity. The definition of agrivoltaics was expanded to include more detailed requirements about construction, design, and decommissioning.

Scope change

The bill's scope was refined by adding more specific definitions of agricultural activities and clarifying what qualifies as a dual-use solar energy project.

DEFINITION

Added detailed definition of 'agricultural products and activities' including crop production, animal husbandry, and livestock grazing, while explicitly excluding pollinator habitats and apiaries as sole farming activities.

Added comprehensive definition of 'agrivoltaics' or 'dual-use solar energy projects' with four specific requirements about construction timing, design planning, decommissioning provisions, and protection of farming activity.

Removed the previous simpler definition of 'dual-use' that focused on retaining agricultural productivity and protecting land resources.

TECHNICAL

Added committee discharge language and updated bill numbering from 6286 to 6286-A to reflect the amendment process.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 10, 2025

How they voted

48–10

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 63

Jun 10, 2025

D Democratic41

37 Yea 4

90% Yea

R Republican22

11 Yea 10 Nay 1

50% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jan 29, 2026

Committee

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE

upper

Jun 10, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

lower

Jun 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED SENATE

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Committee

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE

upper

Mar 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 6286A

upper

Mar 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO AGRICULTURE

upper

Mar 7, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO AGRICULTURE

upper

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors