Committee approves net‑metering expansion for commercial users; bill advances to floor

Representative Scott Heiner, sponsor of House Bill 183 and a Republican from House District 18, told the Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee the bill raises the net‑metering ceiling for nonresidential customers and allows aggregation of colocated meters.

"If an individual puts a rooftop solar or ground based solar panel at their residence or small business, they can have up to 25 kilowatts with current law," Representative Scott Heiner explained. "This bill changes that threshold ... for a small business, they will be able to go up to 200 kilowatts." He described aggregation rules that let multiple meters on the same premises and same rate schedule combine generation capacity.

Supporters — including farmers, ranchers, municipal officials and conservation groups — said expanding net metering to 200 kilowatts for nonresidential…