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NY A10519
Bill
Status
3/6/2026
Primary Sponsor
Carrie Woerner
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AI Summary
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Defines "agrivoltaics" as simultaneous use of land for solar power generation and agriculture, requiring integrated production of solar energy and marketable agricultural products with decommissioning provisions to protect farmland
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Directs ORES to prioritize previously developed sites for renewable energy permits, including brownfields, landfills, former industrial sites, parking lots, warehouse distribution centers, and correctional facilities
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Expands farmland protections to mineral soil groups 1-7 (from 1-4) and requires ORES to consult with the Department of Agriculture and Markets to ensure solar development does not threaten critical farmland mass or state food security
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Mandates new preapplication and application requirements including cumulative impact studies on regional food economy, decommissioning plans and surety bonds for projects on prime soils, and affidavits of financial solvency
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Establishes a 1% farmland conservation fee on the per-acre price of prime farmland used for solar development, deposited into the agricultural and farmland viability protection fund (agrivoltaics projects exempt)
Legislative Description
Requires the office of renewable energy siting and electric transmission to establish and/or amend rules and regulations pertaining to standards related to the siting, design, construction and operation of major renewable energy facilities; requires such rules and regulations to include information relating to certain definitions, preapplication procedures, application procedures, farmland conservation fees, and farmland protection; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.
Last Action
referred to energy
3/6/2026