Bill > SB98

This bill amends New Mexico state law to further protect homeowners' rights to install solar collectors by prohibiting county and municipal restrictions that would significantly increase the cost or reduce the efficiency of solar panel installations. Specifically, the bill invalidates any deed, contract, or other legal document that contains covenants or restrictions which would make solar collector installation more expensive by over 10% or $1,500, or would reduce the solar collector's operational efficiency by more than 10%. The law maintains an existing exception that allows historic districts to regulate solar collector placement. Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision that in any legal action to enforce compliance with these solar rights, the party successfully challenging overly restrictive covenants will be awarded reasonable attorney's fees. This legislation aims to remove barriers that might discourage homeowners from adopting solar energy technology by preventing homeowners' associations, property developers, or other entities from implementing rules that make solar installations prohibitively expensive or impractical.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=98&year=25