September 2, 2021 - Introduced by Representatives Oldenburg, Armstrong,
Snodgrass, Andraca, Mursau and Baldeh, cosponsored by Senator Cowles.
Referred to Committee on Energy and Utilities.

AB525,1,4 1An Act to renumber 66.0401 (1m) (intro.), (a), (b) and (c); to amend 196.378 (4g)
2(b); and to create 66.0401 (1m) (am), 196.38, 196.49 (5m) and 196.491 (3) (ds)
3of the statutes; relating to: establishing solar field designations and granting
4rule-making authority.

This bill creates voluntary “pollinator friendly” and “agriculture friendly”
designations for ground-mounted photovoltaic solar energy systems (solar
installations). Under the bill, the Public Service Commission must designate a solar
installation as a pollinator friendly solar installation if various requirements are
satisfied, including that the site of the installation is managed to benefit habitat for
pollinator species and other wildlife. PSC must consult with the Department of
Natural Resources in promulgating rules that establish requirements for being
designated as a pollinator friendly solar installation. PSC must also design an
official logotype for use by owners or operators of pollinator friendly solar
installations, and the logotype may be used to represent that the installation is
pollinator friendly.

The bill also requires PSC to designate a solar installation as an agriculture
friendly solar installation if various requirements are satisfied, including that the
site of the installation is managed to promote agricultural productivity. PSC must
consult with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection in
promulgating rules that establish requirements for being designated as an
agriculture friendly solar installation. PSC must also design an official logotype for

use by owners or operators of agriculture friendly solar installations, and the
logotype may be used to represent that the installation is agriculture friendly.

A solar installation that satisfies the pollinator friendly installation
requirements and the agriculture friendly installation requirements may receive
both designations. Also, under the bill, PSC and cities, villages, towns, and counties
may not require as a condition of approving a solar installation that the installation
be designated as either a pollinator friendly or agriculture friendly solar installation.