Bill description: SB 1182 would establish mandatory disclosure statements for companies that install residential solar power systems.

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Does it give government any new, additional, or expanded power to prohibit, restrict, or regulate activities in the free market? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce government intervention in the market?

SB 1182 would establish the “Residential Solar Energy System Disclosure Act,” an entirely new chapter of Idaho Code. This act would govern the information solar retailers must provide to any person who purchases, leases, or installs a residential solar energy system. The legislation would mandate that any solar retailer—a company that sells or leases solar power systems—provide a disclosure statement when it enters into an agreement with a customer. These disclosures would have to be written in at least 12-point font, include the contact information of all parties involved, and contain lengthy descriptions of what is and is not included as a part of the agreement. Disclosures would also have to include any information used to calculate estimated savings to the customer, along with several notices that future legislative action may change the tax treatment for solar power or other key features of law relating to solar systems. In total, SB 1182 would require that solar retailers provide at least 20 separate pieces of information in these disclosures. Any retailer that does not provide this information could be subject to prosecution by the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division or could be taken to court.

It is not the Legislature’s role to pass a new chapter and establish new laws any time there may be a bad actor in the marketplace.

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