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MississippiSB 25272026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Solar decommissioning; create provisions concerning.

Sponsored By: Carter

Signed by Governor

EnergyAccountability, Efficiency, Transparency

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Solar projects must remove gear, restore land

Beginning July 1, 2026, covered solar agreements must include removal and land‑restoration duties. When the deal ends, the grantee removes all equipment on the site; lines buried deeper than three feet may stay. The land must be returned to the same general use as before, or another use you both agree to. The agreement must include a written decommissioning plan. The grantee must post financial assurance sized to decommissioning cost: at least 5% at commercial operation, 50% by year 10, and 100% by year 15. Allowed forms include a surety bond, collateral bond, letter of credit, parent guaranty, cash, cashier’s check, certificate of deposit, bank joint custody receipt, or another approved instrument. A landowner can allow the first delivery to wait, but not past year 15. During decommissioning, environmental samples are tested and results go to the Public Service Commission. These rules generally apply to facilities 5 MW AC or larger unless your agreement says otherwise.

Landowner rights and local limits

For agreements starting on or after July 1, 2026, a clause that waives the grantee’s removal or restoration duties is void, unless the landowner and grantee are affiliated. Anyone harmed by a violation can seek relief in court under Rule 57. Counties and cities keep zoning power, but they cannot add extra decommissioning duties or require more financial assurance than this law. This sets a single statewide standard for these obligations.

Which solar projects these rules cover

These rules apply only to solar power facility agreements first signed on or after July 1, 2026. Facilities under 5 megawatts AC at the interconnection point are not covered unless the agreement expressly opts in. Public utilities are not treated as grantees under this law. If you have an older agreement, you can amend it to adopt these rules, and then they govern the deal.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Carter

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Tyler McCaughn

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 219 • No: 4

Senate vote • 3/18/2026

Concurred in Amend From House

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 116 • No: 4

Senate vote • 2/10/2026

Passed

Yes: 52 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    3/25/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/20/2026House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/20/2026Senate

  4. Concurred in Amend From House

    3/18/2026Senate

  5. Returned For Concurrence

    3/12/2026House

  6. Passed As Amended

    3/10/2026House

  7. Amended

    3/10/2026House

  8. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/3/2026House

  9. DR - TSDPAA: AC To EN

    3/3/2026House

  10. DR - TSDPAA: EN To AC

    2/25/2026House

  11. Referred To Energy;Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

    2/16/2026House

  12. Transmitted To House

    2/11/2026Senate

  13. Passed

    2/10/2026Senate

  14. Title Suff Do Pass

    2/2/2026Senate

  15. Referred To Energy

    1/19/2026Senate

Bill Text

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