HB2618

THE CONTEXT: Counties may form planning and zoning commissions to plan for land uses within the county. Districts may be zoned for various classes of residential, business and industrial uses.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would authorize a city, town or county to adopt zoning standards, site specific conditions and permitting requirements and procedures for solar and wind energy power plants within its jurisdiction, direct an owner of a solar or wind energy power plant to comply with the procedures adopted by the county, city or town where the plant will be located. Transfer and Sale, and prohibit the transfer of a solar and wind energy power plant or special use permit or the sale of the entity owning the plant without written acceptance by the transferee of the obligations required under this act.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to give Arizonans and public officials a defined option for decommissioning under state law. It would authorize a city, town or county to adopt zoning standards, site specific conditions and permitting requirements and procedures for solar and wind energy power plants within its jurisdiction, and would also direct an owner of a solar or wind energy power plant to comply with the procedures adopted by the county, city or town where the plant will be located. Transfer and Sale, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.