MN HF5171

Establishes a program in the Department of Commerce to provide technical assistance and financial incentives to local units of government that adopt SolarAPP+ software to automate residential solar permit review and issuance.

Awards incentives between $5,000 and $20,000 to permitting authorities that have installed and made SolarAPP+ available on their website, with amounts varying based on population, permit volume, software integration, and participation in sustainability programs.

Requires permitting authorities to wait a specified number of months after SolarAPP+ becomes operational before applying for incentives, and limits awards to begin no earlier than January 1, 2025.

Creates a SolarAPP+ program account in the special revenue fund that carries forward unused appropriations until July 1, 2027, with funds used for grants, technical assistance, and administration costs.

Appropriates unspecified amounts in fiscal year 2025 from the renewable development account for permitting authorities within the service territory of Minnesota's nuclear utility and from the general fund for authorities outside that territory.