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MN HF3977
Bill
Status
3/19/2018
Primary Sponsor
Rod Hamilton
Click for details
AI Summary
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Designates bee and apiary solar farms as agricultural use for purposes of mandatory state agency review and metropolitan agricultural preserves.
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Defines a bee and apiary solar farm as a ground-mounted photovoltaic solar energy system with generating capacity exceeding 40 kilowatts used for commercial bee or apiary production.
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Requires solar site owners claiming agricultural bee and apiary production benefits to adhere to Board of Water and Soil Resources guidance for exemplary pollinator habitat, with mandatory compliance reporting and on-site inspections.
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Requires owners of sites used for bee and apiary production to report annual production to the commissioner of agriculture for commercial sale.
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Allows owners of agricultural land with covenants made before January 1, 2019, to install bee and apiary solar farms without violating existing agricultural use restrictions.
Legislative Description
Bee and apiary solar farms designated as an agricultural use for purposes of mandatory review of state agency actions and for a metropolitan agricultural preserve, requirements for a solar generation site to provide habitat beneficial to birds and pollinators modified,
Last Action
Introduction and first reading, referred to Agriculture Policy
3/19/2018