California legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
California AB1156: Williamson Act contracts: cancellation fees: photovoltaic solar facilities.
Status: Chaptered, September 30, 2026
What the bill says
An act to amend Sections 51283 and 51295 of the Government Code, relating to agricultural lands. agricultural lands Williamson Act contracts: cancellation fees: photovoltaic solar facilities. The California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (act), otherwise known as the Williamson Act, authorizes a city or county to contract with a landowner to limit the use of agricultural land to agricultural use if the land is located in an agricultural preserve designated by the city or county, as specified…
From the chaptered text, September 30, 2026:
An act to amend Sections 51283 and 51295 of the Government Code, relating to agricultural lands. agricultural lands Williamson Act contracts: cancellation fees: photovoltaic solar facilities. The California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (act), otherwise known as the Williamson Act, authorizes a city or county to contract with a landowner to limit the use of agricultural land to agricultural use if the land is located in an agricultural preserve designated by the city or county, as specified. Existing law authorizes the county or city to cancel a contract under certain circumstances and conditions. Existing law requires the city or county to determine the amount of the cancellation fee, based on the assessor’s determination of the fair market value of the land as though it were free of the contractual restriction, that the landowner shall pay if the city and county approves a cancellation of a contract, as specified. Existing law authorizes the city or county to waive the payment or extend the time for making payment if the cancellation is caused by an involuntary transfer or change in the use which may be made of land, the county or city has determined that it is in the best interest of the program to conserve agricultural land use that the payment be either deferred or not required, and the extension is …
Sponsors
- Buffy Wicks (D, AD14) · primary sponsor