Legislature asks governor to veto state changes to solar and wind assessment rules
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Summary
Montgomery County legislators passed an ad‑on resolution asking Governor Kathy Copeland to veto proposed changes to assessment rules for large solar and wind systems, saying the changes would limit local taxing authority and shift costs to other taxpayers; legislators cited roughly eight major proposed projects and about 10,000 acres affected in the county.
An add‑on resolution adopted by the Montgomery County Legislature on June 24 asks Governor Kathy Copeland to veto state legislation (identified in the transcript as s.8012/a.8332) that would change how large solar and wind energy systems are assessed.
Sponsors and speakers emphasized that the proposed state formula would constrain municipalities’ ability to tax large renewable energy projects fully, potentially shifting tax burdens to other local property owners because of the county’s tax cap. One legislator told colleagues the county faces roughly eight major solar facilities that could total about 10,000 acres, describing the proposal as “a real local issue” for Montgomery County’s tax base.
The resolution passed on voice vote as an added item to tonight’s agenda; proponents said the county is coordinating with other counties and municipal leaders to seek amendments or a veto by the governor.
The transcript records the county’s concern about lost home‑rule authority over local assessments but does not record a detailed fiscal analysis; the acreage and project counts mentioned in the meeting were presented by legislators as approximate and should be verified against planning and land‑use records.