Revision: Jan. 15, 2025, 9:55 a.m.
SB 65-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-0966
06/05
SENATE BILL 65-FN
AN ACT relative to stormwater management for solar arrays.
SPONSORS: Sen. Pearl, Dist 17
COMMITTEE: Energy and Natural Resources
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ANALYSIS
This bill exempts solar arrays from additional requirements not applicable to other types of development, requires a permit only if over 100,000 square feet of earthmoving or timber harvesting is involved, and renders unenforceable any contradictory administrative rules.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-0966
06/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT relative to stormwater management for solar arrays.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Paragraph; Water Pollution and Waste Disposal; Alteration of Terrain; Solar Arrays. Amend RSA 485-A:17 by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraph:
VI. The department shall not impose additional requirements on solar arrays that do not apply to other types of development. Solar arrays shall only require a permit from the department to alter characteristics of terrain if the solar array involves over 100,000 square feet of earthmoving or timber harvesting. Any such permit shall consider solar panels as pervious and the land cover in the post-construction condition as meadow for ground-mounted solar arrays.
2 Applicability of Administrative Rules. Any rules previously adopted by the department of environmental services under RSA 541-A, relative to permitting of solar arrays, that are inconsistent with section 1 of this act shall deemed void and unenforceable on or after the effective date of this act.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
25-0966
1/13/25
SB 65-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to stormwater management for solar arrays.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Legislative Budget Assistant has determined that this legislation has a total fiscal impact of less than $10,000 in each of the fiscal years 2025 through 2028.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Environmental Services