Solar energy; requiring certain commercial solar energy facilities to meet certain standards. Effective date. Emergency.

The requirement for solar facilities on state land to be installed on permanent grass suitable for livestock was removed and replaced with a mandate that facilities must allow for grazing.

The setback distance from residential dwellings was increased from 300 yards to 500 feet, unless the homeowner waives this requirement in writing.

The responsibility for paying ad valorem taxes on solar facilities was transferred from the Commissioners of the Land Office to the private owner of the commercial solar energy facility.

New language was added to clarify that the act applies to facilities of 10 megawatts or larger and includes projects in development without an interconnection agreement by the effective date.

The definition of 'Commercial solar energy facility' was slightly modified to remove the phrase 'ground-mounted' from the description of the installation.

The minimum setback distance for solar panels near residential dwellings was reduced from 500 feet to 300 yards.

The requirement to pay ad valorem taxes on state-owned land was changed from the facility owner to the Commissioners of the Land Office.

The bill number was updated from 915 to 1720 in the footer, and the text was reorganized to remove redundant committee substitute headers.

The bill number was updated from 13584 to 13606 throughout the document to reflect the new House committee version.

The document title was changed from 'Proposed Oversight Committee Substitute' to 'Committee Substitute for Engrossed Senate Bill', indicating a procedural update rather than a policy change.

The effective date and filing date were updated from April 22, 2025 to April 23, 2025.

The minimum height requirement for solar panels was reduced from 8 feet to 6 feet above the lowest point of the panel.

The law now applies to solar projects in development that do not yet have an interconnection agreement in place as of the effective date.

The definition of 'Commercial solar energy facility' was slightly adjusted to clarify that it excludes solar energy generated through distributed generation by residential customers.

The liability clause regarding soil erosion was modified to remove the specific mention of the 'landowner' and instead refer generally to the owner of the facility.

Increased the minimum height of solar panels from 6 feet to 8 feet above the lowest point.

Expanded the required setback distance from residential dwellings from 300 yards to 500 feet.

Changed liability for livestock damage so that the landowner is liable, rather than the facility owner.

Added a requirement that land leased for solar facilities must also be available for leasing to another party for livestock grazing.

Explicitly limited the bill's application to facilities of 10 megawatts or larger.

Created an exemption for any project the Land Office already has a lease for as of the effective date.

Shifted the responsibility for paying ad valorem taxes from the Land Office to the owner of the commercial solar energy facility.

Clarified that leasing agreements may offer provisions regarding livestock grazing if elected by the landowner.

The required setback distance for solar panels near residential homes was reduced from 500 feet to 300 yards.

Liability for soil erosion occurring along the land where panels are installed was removed from the landowner and assigned exclusively to the facility operator.

The definition of 'Commercial solar energy facility' was updated to explicitly exclude solar energy generated through distributed generation installed by residential customers.

The bill title was corrected to remove a duplicate mention of 'providing applicability' and to clarify the list of provisions.

The bill now only applies to solar energy facilities that are 10 megawatts or larger, excluding smaller projects.

The requirement for facilities on state-owned land to be leased for livestock grazing was removed.

The minimum height for solar panels was increased from 6 feet to 8 feet.

The minimum space between rows of solar panels was increased from 20 feet to 25 feet.

A new requirement was added for facility owners to pay ad valorem taxes and assessments to the county treasurer by December 31 each year.

The setback distance from residential dwellings was changed from 500 yards to 500 feet, unless waived in writing by the resident.

The Corporation Commission was granted the authority to assess fines and fees to enforce the act.