Section 1, Section 54-17-1101 is enacted to read:54-17-1101. Definitions.As used in this part, "solar power plant" means a utility-scale commercial facility that:(1)has a nameplate generating capacity in excess of one megawatt; and(2)converts sunlight into electricity for the primary purpose of wholesale or retail sales of generated electricity.

Section 2, Section 54-17-1102 is enacted to read:54-17-1102. Eligibility for state incentives.(1)A solar power plant is not eligible to receive state incentives if the soil where the project is located is:(a)prime farmland, farmland of statewide importance, farmland of local importance, or farmland of unique importance, as designated by the Natural Resource Conservation Service;(b)irrigated cropland; or(c)non-irrigated cropland of a capability class one through four, as designated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.(2)A solar power plant may receive half of an eligible state incentive if the soil where the project is located is non-irrigated cropland of a capability class five or six, as designated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.(3)A solar power plant located on grazing land is not eligible to receive state incentives if the land produces greater than 1,000 pounds of vegetative production per acre in a normal year, according to the Web Soil Survey produced by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.(4)A solar power plant located on grazing land may receive half of an eligible state incentive if the land produces between 500 and 1,000 pounds of vegetative production per acre in a normal year, according to the Web Soil Survey produced by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.(5)Pursuant to Subsection 17D-3-103(2), a conservation district may make a recommendation to exempt a solar power plant from the eligibility limitations described in Subsections (1) through (4).

Section 3, Section 54-17-1103 is enacted to read:54-17-1103. Consultation requirements.The owner or operator of a solar power plant shall consult with the Division of Wildlife Resources or United States Fish and Wildlife Service regarding how the solar power plant could potentially impact wildlife on affected land.

Section 4, Section 54-17-1104 is enacted to read:54-17-1104. Decommissioning plan.(1)An owner of a solar power plant shall:(a)place financial assurance with the appropriate local jurisdiction in accordance with Section 11-17-12 in the form of:(i)a bond;(ii)a parent company guarantee;(iii)an irrevocable letter of credit; or(iv)an alternate form of financial security;(b)ensure the amount of financial security is not less than the estimated cost of decommissioning and reclaiming the solar power plant, after deducting reasonable salvage value, as calculated by:(i)a third party with expertise in decommissioning, hired by the owner and agreed to by the appropriate local jurisdiction; and(ii)if required by the appropriate local jurisdiction, an engineer registered with the state;(c)create and update a decommissioning and reclamation plan every five years from the initial commercial operating date of the solar power plant that:(i)incorporates changes resulting from inflation or changes in total cost estimates;(ii)specifies the condition to which the site must be returned, unless otherwise specified and agreed upon by the property owner and appropriate local jurisdiction;(iii)requires removal of materials, including steel piles, concrete foundations, and buried cabling, to a depth of three feet below the surface, unless otherwise specified in the plan due to local permitting requirements; and(iv)addresses vegetation and soil restoration, based on environmental field surveys and site characterizations conducted before construction, unless otherwise specified in the plan due to local permitting requirements;(d)in the case of cessation of operation, abandonment, or damage of the solar power plant:(i)rectify any deficiency within 90 days after receiving written notice from the appropriate local jurisdiction by certified mail; or(ii)provide a written plan to the appropriate local jurisdiction with an amended cure date if 90 days is insufficient due to circumstances beyond the owner's control; and(e)if seeking to repower the solar power plant at the end of the initial permitted use:(i)complete necessary local permitting and approval requirements within 18 months before decommissioning requirements or penalties are incurred; or(ii)obtain an extension from the local permitting authority.(2)As a condition of the permit, the decommissioning plan shall be approved by the appropriate local jurisdiction's governing body.

Section 5, Section 54-17-1105 is enacted to read:54-17-1105. Permit application and review.(1)A person may not construct a solar power plant without first applying for and receiving a solar power plant construction permit.(2)An application for constructing a solar power plant shall specify how the location and design standards will be met.(3)Site and development plans must identify all existing and proposed structures, setbacks, access routes, utilities, drainage pathways, areas of vegetation removal, and other relevant items identified by staff or the planning commission.

Section 6, Section 54-17-1106 is enacted to read:54-17-1106. Severability.If any provision of this part or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this part shall be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

Section 7. Effective date.This bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.