SB347
Local regulation of solar facilities; special exceptions.
Status:
In House
Latest Action:
Jan. 30, 2026
Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 17-N 0-A)
Chief Patron:
Schuyler VanValkenburg (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. Local regulation of solar facilities; special exceptions.
Provides that a ground-mounted solar energy generation facility to be located on property zoned agricultural, commercial, industrial, or institutional shall be permitted pursuant to various criteria to be included in a local ordinance, such as specifications for setbacks, fencing, solar panel height, visual impacts, and grading, and a decommissioning plan ... (More) for solar energy equipment and facilities, unless otherwise permitted by right. The bill requires localities to furnish the State Corporation Commission a record of special exception decisions reached pursuant to these provisions that includes (i) the reason for any adverse decision, (ii) any finding of nonconformity with the local comprehensive plan, and (iii) the date of the last revision to the comprehensive plan. Finally, the bill requires the State Corporation Commission to compile and maintain on the Commission's public website a searchable database of all solar special exception decisions and the reasons for any adverse decisions made over a period of not less than five years. This bill is a recommendation of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/13/2026 - Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104614D
- 01/13/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee on Local Government
- 01/26/2026 - Senate: Senate committee offered
- 01/26/2026 - Senate: Senate committee offered
- 01/26/2026 - Senate: Reported from Local Government with amendments (8-Y 5-N 1-A)
- 01/27/2026 - Senate: Read first time
- 01/27/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 01/27/2026 - Senate: Rules suspended
- 01/27/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- 01/28/2026 - Senate: Read second time
- 01/28/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day
- 01/29/2026 - Senate: Read second time
- 01/29/2026 - Senate: Local Government Amendments agreed to
- 01/29/2026 - Senate: Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)
- 01/29/2026 - Senate: Engrossed by Senate as amended
- 01/30/2026 - Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 17-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
