*Sponsorship has changed since the bill was introduced

CORRECTED   Jan 23 2023

REFERENCE TITLE: agrivoltaics study committee

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

2023

HB 2519

*Introduced by

Representatives Stahl Hamilton: Aguilar, Austin, Blattman, Bravo, Cano, Contreras P, Cook, De Los Santos, Dunn, Gutierrez, Livingston, Mathis, Ortiz, Pawlik, Quiñonez, Sandoval, Schwiebert, Seaman, Terech, Travers, Wilmeth, Senators Carroll, Gabaldón, Gowan, Marsh, Sundareshan

An Act

establishing the agrivoltaics study committee.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Agrivoltaics study committee; membership; duties; report; delayed repeal

A. The agrivoltaics study committee is established consisting of the following members:

1. Two members of the senate who are appointed by the president of the senate.

2. Two members of the house of representatives who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

3. One member who has experience in hydrology and who is appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives.

4. One member who has experience in agronomy and who is appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives.

5. One member who has experience in agriculture and who is appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives.

6. One member who has experience in land management or maintenance of natural resources and who is appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives.

7. One member who has experience in photovoltaics and who is appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives.

8. Two public members who are appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives.

B. Committee members are not eligible to receive compensation, but the members appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives are eligible for reimbursement of expenses under title 38, chapter 4, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes.

C. The committee shall:

1. Select a chairperson.

2. Meet as often as the chairperson deems necessary.

3. Assess the potential of agrivoltaics to increase crop production, reduce water consumption by crops and improve renewable energy production.

4. Estimate the quantity of water conserved after converting a traditional crop watering system to an agrivoltaic system.

5. On or before January 1, 2025, submit a report regarding the committee's activities and recommendations for administrative or legislative action that may incentivize the adoption of agrivoltaics in this state to the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the chairpersons of the natural resources, energy and water committees of the house of representatives and senate, or their successor committees, and shall provide a copy of the report to the secretary of state.

D. The natural resources, energy and water committees of the house of representatives and senate, or their successor committees, shall assign staff and provide support services to the study committee.

E. This section is repealed from and after June 30, 2026.