Land use: farmland and open space; use of farmland for commercial solar facilities; prohibit. Amends sec. 36104e of 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.36104e).
Take action
Take a stance or write a position on this measure.
Create an account to take a stance, submit a written position, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill prohibits the use of farmland for commercial solar facilities by amending a state law. It establishes a process where landowners can enter into agreements with the state to allow solar facilities on their land for a limited time, known as a ‘deferment period,’ while ensuring the land is maintained for agricultural use afterward. The bill outlines specific conditions that must be met, including pollinator habitat requirements, financial assurances, and eventual restoration of the land to agricultural production.
Key provisions
- Solar facilities cannot be permitted on farmland under a development rights agreement after the bill’s effective date.
- Landowners can apply for a ‘deferment period’ to allow solar facilities on their land.
- The deferment period cannot exceed 90 years minus the remaining term of the existing development rights agreement.
- Solar facility sites must meet specific environmental standards, including pollinator habitat requirements.
- A financial surety (bond or letter of credit) must be maintained to cover decommissioning costs.
- The land must be returned to agricultural use within one year after the deferment period ends.
- Landowners cannot claim certain tax credits during the deferment period.
- If a landowner relinquishes the development rights agreement, past tax credits will be repaid upon land restoration.
Who is affected
- Landowners
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Document of record
- Version
- Senate Introduced Bill
- Published
- Not published in the source record
This version is published only as a document. Open the viewer to read it here, or download the file.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
No sponsors are on record.
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours