LA HB638

Department of Agriculture and Forestry authorized to impose annual per-acre fees on solar power generation facilities with a footprint of 10 acres or more to mitigate loss of agricultural resources

Fee calculation method to be developed through rulemaking in consultation with LSU AgCenter, potentially based on average yield per acre or commodity-specific factors (sugarcane, corn, cotton, soybeans, livestock, pasture, timber)

Fees capped at the department's costs for conducting the letter of clearance review plus costs to replace or mitigate the loss of converted agricultural resources

Creates the Solar Conversion Fund in the state treasury to receive all collected fees, with unexpended funds remaining in the fund and earning interest

Effective only if House Bill No. 615 of the 2025 Regular Session is enacted and becomes effective