Best practices guidance for solar energy land management

(a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (referred to in this section as the Secretary), in collaboration with the Secretary of Energy (including the Solar Energy Technologies Office) and the national office of the rural development mission area of the Department of Agriculture, shall— (1) develop both national and regionally relevant guidance on best practices for protection of soil health and productivity during the siting, construction, operation, and decommissioning of solar energy systems on agricultural land, which shall include— (A) guidance for— (i) soil carbon and soil health; (ii) water management; (iii) vegetation management, including types of plants best suited for pollinators; and (iv) other practices, as determined appropriate by the Secretary of Agriculture; and (B) regional considerations for each type of guidance described in clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (A); and (2) make the guidance developed under paragraph (1) publicly available on the website of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. (b) Review required The Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, shall— (1) update guidance developed under subsection (a)(1) not less frequently than once every 2 years; and (2) ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, the completeness and relevance of that guidance. (c) Consultation In conducting the review under subsection (b), the Secretary shall consult with eligible participants, State technical committees established under section 1261(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3861(a)), crop consultants, cooperative extension and land grant universities, nongovernmental organizations, industry, and other qualified entities.