Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

HOUSE BILL 1356
      M4, M5                                                                            1lr3002
     By: Delegate Barve
     Introduced and read first time: February 19, 2021
     Assigned to: Rules and Executive Nominations
                                              A BILL ENTITLED
 AN ACT concerning
                          Blue Ribbon Solar Land Use Commission
 FOR the purpose of establishing the Blue Ribbon Solar Land Use Commission; providing
      for the composition, cochairs, and staffing of the Commission; prohibiting a member
      of the Commission from receiving certain compensation, but authorizing the
      reimbursement of certain expenses; requiring the Commission to study and make
      recommendations regarding certain matters relating to the State’s solar energy goals
      under the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard; requiring the Commission to report
      its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on or
      before a certain date; providing for the termination of this Act; and generally relating
      to the Blue Ribbon Solar Land Use Commission.
         SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
 That:
         (a)   There is a Blue Ribbon Solar Land Use Commission.
         (b)   The Commission consists of the following members:
               (1)     one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of
 the Senate;
               (2)     one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the
 House;
               (3)     the Secretary of Agriculture, or the Secretary’s designee;
               (4)     the Secretary of Natural Resources, or the Secretary’s designee;
             (5)       the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, or the Chairman’s
 designee; and
     EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
         [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
                                                                     *hb1356*
                                HOUSE BILL 1356
              (6)   the following members, appointed by the Governor:
                    (i)     one representative of the Maryland Farm Bureau;
                    (ii)    one representative of the Coalition for Community Solar Access;
                    (iii)   one representative of the Chesapeake Solar & Storage
 Association; and
                    (iv)    one representative of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network.
       (c)   The member of the Senate of Maryland and the member of the House of
 Delegates shall cochair the Commission.
        (d)    The Power Plant Research Program in the Department of Natural Resources
 shall staff the Commission.
       (e)    A member of the Commission:
              (1)   may not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but
             (2)    is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State
 Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.
       (f)   The Commission shall study and make recommendations regarding the land
 use needs to meet the State’s solar energy goals under the Renewable Energy Portfolio
 Standard, including:
               (1)  the total area of land, including agricultural land, that is likely
 necessary to meet the solar energy goals in a manner that is cost–effective for ratepayers
 in the State;
              (2)   the total number of megawatts of solar electricity that is needed to meet
 the solar energy goals;
               (3)    the rate of rooftop solar panels compared to ground–mounted solar
 panels that is needed to meet the number of megawatts of solar electricity identified under
 item (2) of this subsection;
               (4)   the number of ground–mounted solar panels that would be required to
 be allocated to each county, including Baltimore City, to meet the number of megawatts of
 solar electricity identified under item (2) of this subsection, based on the following
 equally weighted factors:
                    (i)     the county’s population;
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                     (ii)    the county’s total area; and
                     (iii)   how much of the county is agricultural land; and
              (5)    any other matter that the Commission considers necessary to help the
 State meet its solar energy goals in a cost–effective manner.
      (g)   On or before December 1, 2021, the Commission shall report its findings and
 recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State
 Government Article, the General Assembly.
       SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July
 1, 2021. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and, at the end of June 30, 2022, this
 Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no
 further force and effect.