Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Preserving America’s Farmland Act”.
Preserving America’s Farmland Act
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on the effects of solar panel installations on covered farmland, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Study on effects of solar panel installations on covered farmland
In general— The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall conduct a study on the effects of solar panel installations on the conversion of covered farmland out of agricultural production.
Elements— The study required under subsection (a) shall include the following:
An analysis of the economic effects of solar panel installations on—
converted and adjacent covered farmland, including on—
crop yields;
land values, including adjacent properties; and
land access and tenure;
local economies; and
food security.
The impacts of solar panel installation, operation, and decommissioning on—
covered farmland;
soil health;
water resources;
wildlife;
water drainage; and
vegetation.
An evaluation of existing Federal, State, or local tax incentives that encourage solar panel installations on covered farmland.
An evaluation of existing Federal, State, or local incentives to install solar panel installations on previously disturbed non-agricultural lands, such as the built environment, contaminated land, or landfills.
An evaluation of the effectiveness of programs administered by the Secretary and the Secretary of Energy that—
incentivize the use of solar energy to shift development towards the non-agricultural lands described in paragraph (4); and
discourage solar panel installations that would transition covered farmland out of agricultural production.
An estimate of the loss of agricultural production on covered farmland due to solar panel installations.
Consultation with relevant stakeholders— In carrying out the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with relevant farmers, ranchers, landowners, agricultural organizations, State departments of agriculture, conservation organizations, and land-grant colleges and universities.
Report— Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a written report on the findings of the study; and
make such report publicly available.
Definitions— In this section:
Covered farmland— The term covered farmland has the meaning given the term “farmland” in section 1540(c)(1) of the Farmland Protection Policy Act (7 U.S.C. 4201(c)(1)).
Land grant colleges and universities— The term land grand colleges and universities has the meaning give the term in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)).
Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.