Enacts the community solar opportunity and local approval reform (Community SOLAR) act

Summary: S.8119A — Community SOLAR Act (Community SOLAR Opportunity and Local Approval Reform)

A comprehensive summary of the bill as introduced and current status.

Overview and purpose

• Bill: S.8119A
• Title: Enacts the Community Solar Opportunity and Local Approval Reform (Community SOLAR) Act
• Purpose (as conveyed by the title): To create and expand community solar opportunities while reforming local approval processes to facilitate deployment, with an emphasis on improving efficiency and local oversight.
• Status: Print Number 8119A
• Introduced: May 15, 2025
• Companion: A.9087 (companion bill)

Legislative status and timeline

• May 15, 2025: Referred to the Local Government committee.
• September 10, 2025: Amendments filed and the bill was reprint-acted as 8119A (amended and recommitted to Local Government)
• The bill has an identified companion in the Assembly (A.9087).

Sponsors

• Primary sponsor: Kevin S. Parker
• Cosponsors: Rachel May, Brian Kavanagh

What the bill would do (high-level, based on the title)

• Create or expand a framework for community solar projects (i.e., solar projects that allow multiple customers to subscribe and benefit from solar generation, often located off-site from individual customers’ premises).
• Reform local government approval processes for community solar projects, with the intent to streamline permitting, zoning, or other local approvals while preserving appropriate local oversight.
• Establish mechanisms to improve access, equity, and transparency in community solar initiatives (details to be found in the bill text).
• Potentially address interconnection, timelines for approvals, and reporting or accountability measures to ensure timely project development.

Note: The exact substantive provisions (definitions, procedures, standards, thresholds, timelines, funding or incentives, reporting requirements, penalties, etc.) are not included in the information provided here. The summary relies on the bill’s title and the publicly listed status and actions.

Who would be affected

• Community solar developers and project sponsors seeking to deploy solar at scale.
• Local governments (cities/towns) that administer zoning, permitting, and siting for solar projects.
• Solar customers and subscribers who participate in community solar programs.
• Utilities and energy suppliers interfacing with distributed solar resources.
• Public and ratepayer communities that may benefit from streamlined development and improved access to solar opportunities.

Key procedural and timeline notes

• The bill has undergone amendments and was reprinted as 8119A on September 10, 2025.
• It is tied to a companion Assembly bill (A.9087), indicating cross-chamber consideration.
• Next steps typically include committee hearings, potential further amendments, and floor votes in both chambers.

How to read and monitor the bill

• Text and official summaries are typically released by the sponsor committee (Local Government) and the Senate for S.8119A.
• To obtain the exact provisions, definitions, timelines, and any fiscal impacts, consult the official bill text for S.8119A (Print Number 8119A) and any associated fiscal notes or memos.
• Track related actions and amendments through the legislative website using the bill number and the companion Assembly bill (A.9087).

If you’d like, I can summarize the full text once you provide the official bill language or link to the bill’s text and any fiscal notes.