HB 2133 proposes the establishment of the Solar Panel Disposal Study Committee to investigate the abandonment, recycling, and disposal of solar panels. The committee will consist of members appointed by the Legislature and will have the authority to request services and utilize legislative staff. The committee is required to submit a report of findings and recommendations by December 31, 2024, and will be repealed on October 1, 2025.
The bill also introduces the Solar Panel Disposal Fund, which will be funded by legislative appropriations and fees from solar panel installations. The fund will be used to provide grants to cities, towns, and counties for decommissioning, recycling, disposing of solar panels, and groundwater quality remediation efforts related to improper solar panel disposal. The Department of Environmental Quality will administer the fund and prioritize grant applications that aid groundwater remediation. Entities seeking grants must submit applications and annual reports on the use and outcomes of the grants. The department must report annually to the governor and legislative leaders on the fund's activities. Additionally, a fee of $1 per installed solar panel will be collected and deposited into the fund, and the bill requires a two-thirds majority vote in each legislative house for enactment.