[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6577262,"mediaKeyId","3161319-d418582f816845764ab6da8dad3671d0","parentId",3161319,"title","Assembly panel advances bill to allow suspension of Williamson Act contracts for solar on water-constrained farmland","audioSeconds",3595,"startMs",2324000,"endMs",5919000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3161319-d418582f816845764ab6da8dad3671d0&start=2324&end=5919","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3161319-d418582f816845764ab6da8dad3671d0/thumbnail_2324000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6577262/California/Assembly-panel-advances-bill-to-allow-suspension-of-Williamson-Act-contracts-for-solar-on-water-constrained-farmland","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577262-39b5d7e5f84134faaa2cac2de239ac5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770955162&Signature=h8KusjPtxFY8k26M~ft236HR0OiILUhkDgGjUvr5lqlZ9hfKI0TzJQncgKYtkD2OGGmQGP9PSWVtfj95~y32FdejBQiU2UIhr~~tz4PJMzqCuqyRqx99IpT4q6CTcb6jN0ZHXGRL6527uGKj1xgcZnecToYC3Qv~cz9mVOffG-GCEDg9Tt8Z3iTzRGut9f1jnYi~eIUS0dIxD4sTs8GdEd4~IaYBffNyCG~8xKfQiPOZ2uUCxopTuThAoHmZvvTWqhglJxGJyYH6BE511NuMEP1GBNQeiRQ0bi-5KUYbLAX8aaSTonbH3Wgh0NSrZCmCoyJ9QQ96zViEMxcA5MD95g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California State Assembly","date","2025-04-30T00:00:00Z","article","Assemblymember Buffy Wicks on behalf of AB 1156 told the Assembly Agriculture subcommittee that the bill would update California’s solar use easement statute to permit landowners on agriculturally constrained, water-limited parcels to suspend Williamson Act contracts and place renewable energy projects on those parcels for the life of a solar easement.

Why it matters: Wicks and supporters said the proposal aims to create an option for landowners who can no longer irrigate so the land can produce local revenue and local tax receipts while preserving the option to return the land to agriculture if water conditions improve. Opposition warned the bill could open a loophole that lets solar development leave productive farmland permanently unprotected without repaying the public investment that conservation programs require.

AB 1156’s changes and goals

Wicks said AB 1156 would modernize eligibility criteria and easement terms for the state’s solar use easement program, which she called “not working” — noting state data presented to the committee showing only three projects permitted under the current program since 2011. She described the proposal as allowing an owner to “pause” a Williamson Act contract to establish a solar use easement, build a solar project, and return to agricultural production should water conditions improve. Wicks also told the committee she is committed to further amendments if the bill moves to Appropriations, including clarifying what constitutes commercially viable land, defining insufficient water, and moving the community-benefits component from voluntary to mandatory if needed.

Supporters’ arguments

Shannon Eddy, executive director of the Large Scale Solar Association, told the committee the bill would address the state’s clean-energy needs while offering an alternative use for irrigated farmland that is losing water. Eddy and other industry witnesses said updated rules would produce new local revenue because solar projects constructed after 2026 will generally pay full property taxes rather than the lower Williamson Act valuation. John Norwood of the Almond Alliance and representatives of developers and labor groups said the measure would give landowners an option that keeps landowners’ property rights intact and can provide local economic benefits.

Opposition and concerns

Peter Ansell of the California Farm Bureau told the committee the bill should not repeal solar-use-easement cancellation fees that currently help repay the public investment made under the Williamson Act. He said those fees are not penalties but contract cancellation payments and that eliminating them could encourage speculative early withdrawals and undermine incentives to keep land in agriculture. Ansell also warned the bill’s expansion of eligibility to include prime farmland, lands of statewide importance, and farmland security zones — and any repeal of mitigation requirements — would increase the risk of losing highly productive soils and co-benefits such as habitat and groundwater recharge.

John Kennedy of the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) said earlier draft concerns about the California Energy Commission making determinations had been removed and that, after negotiation and amendments preserving local police powers, RCRC had moved from opposition to support pending printing of the amendments. Other conservation and local land-holding organizations — including Peninsula Open Space Trust and the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority — signaled either opposition or “oppose unless amended” positions while noting ongoing discussions with the author’s office.

Committee discussion and clarifications

Committee members pressed the author on several points: whether the measure would incentivize permanent conversion of farmland, how the bill defines “commercially viable” land and “insufficient water,” and whether community benefits should be mandatory. Multiple members asked for clarifying definitions on commercially viable land and on prime farmland. Wicks and the chair pledged to continue negotiations and adopt further amendments as the bill advances.

Vote and next steps

The committee voted to pass AB 1156 as amended and send it to the Appropriations Committee. The clerk reported the bill is out of committee by a 6–1 margin. The author committed to additional amendments addressing RCRC and other stakeholders’ concerns before Appropriations.

Ending

AB 1156 will move to the Appropriations Committee where the author and committee staff expect to bring additional clarifying amendments. The committee record shows the measure remains contested on cancellation fees, protections for prime farmland and the scope of local mitigation authority.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly Agriculture Committee (1)","oneSentenceSummary","Assemblymember Buffy Wicks on behalf of AB 1156 told the Assembly Agriculture subcommittee that the bill would update California’s solar use easement statute to permit landowners on agriculturally constrained, water-limited parcels to suspend Williamson Act contracts and place renewable energy projects on those parcels for the life of a solar easement.","taxTitle","California State Assembly, House, Legislative, California","taxId",17099,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6577251,"Assembly panel unanimously advances bill to enshrine Farm to School program in state law",565,5323000,5888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3161319-d418582f816845764ab6da8dad3671d0&start=5323&end=5888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3161319-d418582f816845764ab6da8dad3671d0/thumbnail_5323000.jpg","/articles/6577251/California/Assembly-panel-unanimously-advances-bill-to-enshrine-Farm-to-School-program-in-state-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577251-6fad12cf3c535d919a68a288e1e0c835/orig.mp4?Expires=1770955162&Signature=a4vCWNmG32FcVwcyOddAYVRq9pzzQMCp3gEimgbWVBGTvxvi1fKjxL58t9QadynEt0ixQc1SSnonoRiamT-lxK0G9ewRRRd8WpVG2pXetROlKVz3tCaBWD17L33qF0FW79mCcwv-7FJ3NNVhp07-vWsKwiPAyz1QIzBWVluxwDLP283xDlIWfV4AaYe74glpNzFNQ6IYvy0akhxdtMaONr1nV58ifXoDN4JwV7uCVRbCCaA4cjGcZlrHkcc08wxcYbVSvFtGher1vQUiobXUAIwrEuTJjshoerG~-0tKtvD0YqRKl1mpEzCegde4XGV6K5fuqq6Le8ZUUPWNvh7WFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Majority Leader Agra Curry introduced AB 675 to codify the California Farm to School program into state law. Curry and witnesses told the committee that the program connects students with locally sourced food, supports stable markets for small and sustainable farmers, and provides hands-on agricultural and culinary education for students.

Why it matters: Supporters said the program serves high-need school communities, helps direct school-meal spending toward local farmers and strengthens local food systems. Witnesses noted recent federal funding uncertainty for similar programs and framed codification as a way to provide program stability for schools and farmers.

Details and testimony

Witnesses from the Center for Ecoliteracy and Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAF) described program successes: increased participation from Title I schools, local procurement relationships that helped sustain small farms and examples of districts using dedicated coordinators to connect farmers and school food-service staff. Testimony included economic estimates that local procurement and farm-to-school activities generate local economic activity and can prevent some small farms from going out of business.

Support and vote

A broad set of nonprofit and local-government organizations registered support in the hearing. The committee voted to move AB 675 to the Appropriations Committee; the clerk reported the bill had eight votes in favor when the tally was taken.

Ending

AB 675 now goes to Appropriations, where staff and the author will address any fiscal and implementation details needed to codify and fund the program.","AB 675 would codify California’s Farm to School program to provide statutory stability for local procurement of California-grown food and farm-based education. Supporters said the program connects students with healthy food, benefits small farmers and leverages state meal funding. The committee passed the bill to Appropriations.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6577257,"Committee advances Wilson bill to create statewide land-access program for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers",270,3186000,3456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3161319-d418582f816845764ab6da8dad3671d0&start=3186&end=3456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3161319-d418582f816845764ab6da8dad3671d0/thumbnail_3186000.jpg","/articles/6577257/California/Committee-advances-Wilson-bill-to-create-statewide-land-access-program-for-beginning-and-socially-disadvantaged-farmers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577257-b43540c09c43b077ebf88243d392da9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770955162&Signature=OPv3adSvJNEffwMGTbB7UU6MRKfI22HK3fRkdH5FQycBK6ql6JDUPQrlPOBtJqlxopHLu8XeverUgmkQ5RwzmMH7~Xbn~jlE8i8qqW7iSDWSJrB17MUC06BJy9vDtvpxgvM8FxrFbPjt2KLAgFN31pIItu~V5qTOAHKjvoZBBai2sRlbfgQZdYbwrKfHDbcJFjo1CpDSz4y-hVy-Qm1I2F4kEejEETsWl6q75dWldRNUbVT8ZafgxYyn4MjDQPe0qiXKAhVD63ENtjXg9SsRmGSLfH8zSqS-Nz8MlkJe6ge1MzIwWpO6Sqe6LmehGvgIdbhHlk7T-QhBo3a0zPuCPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assemblymember Rebecca Wilson presented AB 524, the Farmland Access and Conservation for Thriving Communities Act, to the Assembly Agriculture subcommittee. The bill would create a new land-access program at the Department of Conservation, using the Proposition 4 funding stream referenced by supporters, to provide financial and technical assistance for agricultural land acquisition, protection or long-term leases for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

Why it matters: Supporters described land tenure as a core barrier to farm viability for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers. Testimony detailed steep land concentration and rising prices, and explained that short-term leases prevent farmers from investing in perennial crops, conservation practices and eligibility for many government loans and grants.

Supporters and testimony

Jamie Fanous, policy and organizing director at Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAF), told the committee that nearly 75 percent of California farmers operate on small sales and that the state loses thousands of acres annually. Fanous said a lack of land security prevents many farmers from investing in sustainable practices and accessing state and federal programs. Darlene Ruiz, who testified as a farmer from Stanislaus County, described multiple displacements when landowners sold property and said even a five-year lease was insufficient for certain perennial crops; she said purchase prices were beyond reach for her family.

Local governments and nonprofits, including representatives from the Solano County Board of Supervisors, the California Community Land Trust Network and multiple conservation and agricultural organizations, registered support in the hearing. Assembly members across the dais praised the bill’s aims; the Majority Leader and other members noted the measure builds on prior legislation and on Proposition 4 funding to create a dedicated program.

Vote and next steps

The committee moved AB 524 to the Appropriations Committee. The clerk reported eight votes in favor during the roll call and the bill was sent forward to Appropriations for the next stage of consideration.

Ending

Supporters described AB 524 as the first statewide program to tackle structural land-access barriers for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers; the bill now moves to Appropriations for further review and potential fiscal analysis.","AB 524 would establish a Department of Conservation program, funded by Proposition 4 resources, to help beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers acquire, protect or access long-term leases for farmland. The bill passed the Assembly Agriculture subcommittee and will go to Appropriations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly panel advances bill to allow suspension of Williamson Act contracts for solar on water-constrained farmland

Assembly panel unanimously advances bill to enshrine Farm to School program in state law

Committee advances Wilson bill to create statewide land-access program for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers