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HR1592119th CongressWALLET

SOLAR Act

Sponsored By: Representative Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]

In Committee

Summary

Protecting farmland from federal-funded solar conversion is the bill’s main goal. It bars USDA financial assistance for ground-mounted solar that would convert defined "covered farmland," while allowing narrow, conditional exceptions and strict restoration rules.

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  • Farmers and landowners: Keeps large parcels of protected farmland off-limits to federal-funded solar conversion. Projects that qualify for exceptions must use a Farmland conservation plan and provide funds to decommission and restore soil to pre-project health.
  • Solar developers: Federal help is allowed only if the project converts less than 5 acres, or converts less than 50 acres with most energy used on the farm, or wins approval from every county and municipality where it sits.
  • Local governments: A local resolution of approval or support from each affected county and municipality can unlock the funding exemption for a project.
  • Federal funding rules: The Secretary of Agriculture may obligate but not disburse assistance until conservation-plan requirements are met, and projects that fail to follow the plan must repay the full amount received.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Conservation plans for locally approved farm solar

If you seek USDA aid under the local‑approval exception, you would need a farmland conservation plan. The plan would protect soil during construction, operation, and decommissioning, and restore soil to pre‑project condition. You would need funds for decommissioning and restoration, as the Secretary decides. USDA could obligate aid but would not pay it out until you meet the plan requirement. You must follow the plan while producing energy and after it stops. If you do not comply, you would have to repay the full amount of assistance. This would take effect upon enactment.

USDA aid limited for solar on farms

This bill would stop USDA financial assistance for projects that convert covered farmland to solar energy production. Aid could still be given if the project converts less than 5 acres. Aid could still be given if it converts less than 50 acres and most power is used on the farm. Aid could still be given if every county and municipality where it sits passes a resolution of approval or support. If enacted, this would take effect upon enactment.

Defines conversion and covered farmland

The bill would define conversion as activity that makes covered farmland fail a State’s rules for agricultural use. It would define covered farmland by the Farmland Protection Policy Act. Secretary would mean the Secretary of Agriculture. These definitions would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]

IL • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 2/26/2025

  • Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]

    MN • R

    Sponsored 2/26/2025

  • Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 2/26/2025

  • Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 3/5/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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