AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

HB 5583 restricts utility-scale solar projects (10 MW or larger) to locations on developed urban land, commercial properties, rooftops, or parking lots - banning development on forested land, farmland, or rural areas over one acre. It directly affects solar developers and landowners seeking to build large solar installations on undeveloped rural properties. The bill amends zoning laws to require that such projects serve existing developed areas rather than open rural landscapes. The law would take effect immediately upon passage.