Bill · H.R. 1592· House(119-HR-1592)
SOLAR Act
- Introduced
- 2/26/2025
- Last activity
- 3/28/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
- Sponsored by
- Mike Bost
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The SOLAR Act aims to limit USDA funding for ground-mounted solar energy systems that result in the conversion of covered farmland. Under this bill, the Secretary of Agriculture is prohibited from providing financial assistance for projects that convert farmland if they do not meet specific exceptions. Exceptions include projects involving less than 5 acres, projects under 50 acres where the majority of energy is for on-farm use, or projects with local government approval. For certain projects, applicants must develop a farmland conservation plan to protect soil health and ensure funds for decommissioning. If a project fails to follow the conservation plan, the recipient must repay the full amount of the financial assistance.
Yes
Would farmers be better off under this?+5
The bill aims to prevent the permanent loss of productive farmland to solar energy conversion.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+3
The bill seeks to preserve the agricultural character and soil health of rural communities.
Does this invest in rural communities?+3
The bill protects the long-term productivity and soil health of agricultural land used in rural areas.
The opposite
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?-4
The bill restricts USDA financial assistance for ground-mounted solar energy systems that convert farmland.
Would business owners be better off under this?-3
Solar energy developers face new restrictions on USDA funding and stricter compliance requirements for farmland conservation.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill limits the availability of USDA financial assistance for specific solar energy projects.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Soil Health: The bill requires the development of a farmland conservation plan to implement best practices for protecting soil health and productivity, while mitigating erosion and compaction (Section 2(d)(1)(A)).
-
Restoration of Farmland: The bill requires that the soil health of the farmland be remediated and restored to its original state after the solar energy production project is finished (Section 2(d)(1)(A)(ii)).
-
Financial Accountability: The bill ensures that projects are held accountable by requiring that sufficient funds are provided for decommissioning and soil restoration (Section 2(d)(1)(B)).
-
Enforcement of Conservation: There is a requirement for applicants to repay the full amount of financial assistance if they fail to comply with the provisions of their farmland conservation plan (Section 2(d)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Funding Restrictions: The Secretary of Agriculture is prohibited from providing financial assistance for projects that result in the conversion of covered farmland for solar energy production (Section 2(b)).
-
Increased Requirements for Applicants: Certain project applicants are required to develop a farmland conservation plan that includes specific actions for soil health and decommissioning (Section 2(d)(1)(A)).
-
Financial Risk of Non-Compliance: Individuals or entities running projects may face the burden of repaying the full amount of financial assistance if they fail to comply with the conservation plan provisions (Section 2(d)(4)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+5Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Business Owners-3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+3Increases Renewable Energy Investment-4
- 3/5/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/28/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
- 2/26/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
James BairdRepublican · Indiana
Brad FinstadRepublican · Minnesota
Sam GravesRepublican · Missouri
Austin ScottRepublican · Georgia
David TaylorRepublican · Ohio