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LD 935

Resolve, Directing The Department Of Environmental Protection To Report On Air And Soil Chemical And Metal Levels And On Soil Testing On Solar Panel Farm Sites

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Barbara Bagshaw and 9 co-sponsors

Requires Maine DEP to produce two reports by Dec 3, 2025: statewide air/soil chemicals data and solar farm soil testing across 700+ sites, funded by a one-time $1.25M.

Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 935

Summary of LD 935 (Resolve): DEP Reports on Air and Soil Chemicals/Metals and Solar Panel Farm Soil Testing

Overview

LD 935 is a resolutive measure directing the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to prepare two comprehensive reports on environmental data related to chemicals and metals. The bill was introduced on March 5, 2025, underwent committee review, and ultimately was placed in Legislative Files with a DEAD status (not enacted). It includes a one-time General Fund appropriation to fund contracted services needed to complete the reports.

Purpose and intent

  • To provide a statewide synthesis of available data on airborne and soil concentrations of chemicals and metals.
  • To document soil testing conducted at solar panel farm sites (before, during, and after installation), including ongoing monitoring and results.
  • To link environmental test results across DEP programs to more than 700 solar development sites.
  • To inform stakeholders and policymakers about potential environmental impacts associated with solar panel installations and related soil and air quality data.

Key provisions

  • Reports due: DEP must submit two reports by December 3, 2025: 1) A statewide summary of available data on airborne and soil levels of chemicals and metals. 2) A detailed account of soil testing at solar panel farm sites (pre-installation, during installation, post-installation) with ongoing monitoring results.
  • Scope and effort: Compilation requires a comprehensive review of records and sampling data across multiple DEP programs to connect test results to the extensive set of solar sites (estimated at over 700).
  • Staffing and contracting: The workload is expected to require significant staff time; the bill appropriates contracted services to complete the reports.

Fiscal impact

  • Net cost to General Fund (one-time): $1,250,000 in FY 2025-26 for contracted services.
  • Ongoing costs: None anticipated in the bill; the fiscal notes indicate no additional appropriations beyond the one-time amount.
  • Timing constraint: Because the measure is not an emergency, a delayed effective date may constrain DEP’s ability to complete the reports by the December 3, 2025 deadline.

Affected entities

  • Primary: Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must produce the two required reports.
  • Indirect: Solar panel developers, solar farm operators, and other stakeholders relying on DEP data and environmental monitoring results.

Timing and legislative history

  • Introduced: March 5, 2025.
  • Committee: Environment and Natural Resources.
  • Action: Work session and multiple reporting votes in spring 2025; reports read and related actions occurred May 20–21, 2025.
  • Status: Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) on May 21, 2025.

Notes

  • The fiscal notes (two versions) reiterate the same core requirements and costs, emphasizing the substantial data-gathering task across DEP programs and the need for contracted services to complete the two reports.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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