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California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session

California AB 1156

Williamson Act contracts: cancellation fees: photovoltaic solar facilities.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Summary

Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary

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 approved by the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, as provided. This bill would remove the ability of a city or county to waive payment or extend the time for making payment, as described above. The bill would instead authorize the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, upon application by the landowner, to waive payment or extend the time for making payment, as described above, if either the cancellation is caused by an involuntary transfer or change in the use which may be made of the land, as described above, or the cancellation is to facilitate a photovoltaic solar facility that meets specified conditions. The bill, until January 1, 2037, would require the secretary to approve a completed application for extension of making the payment by a landowner if it includes certain items, as provided, and would require the secretary to waive payment if the landowner attests and provides proof to the secretary that a solar project has been constructed on the property. The act deems a contract null and void upon acquisition of the land subject to the contract in an eminent domain action or upon acquisition of land in lieu of eminent domain, as provided. The Jobs and Economic Improvement Through Environmental Leadership Act of 2021 authorizes the Governor, until January 1, 2032, to certify, among other projects, a clean renewable energy project that generates electricity exclusively through wind or solar, as specified, for certain streamlining benefits. This bill would additionally deem a contract null and void when that land is approved for use as a photovoltaic solar facility certified under the Jobs and Economic Improvement Through Environmental Leadership Act of 2021, as provided.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:06 AM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Sep 1, 2026
House		AB 1156 WICKS Concurrence in Senate AmendmentspassSet your home in California to see
Aug 31, 2026
Senate		3rd Reading AB1156 Wicks By LairdpassSet your home in California to see
Aug 28, 2026
Senate		That the measure be returned to Senate Floor for consideration. Ordered to third reading.passSet your home in California to see
Sep 12, 2025
Senate		3rd Reading AB1156 Wicks By LairdpassSet your home in California to see
Aug 29, 2025
Senate		Do passpassSet your home in California to see
Aug 18, 2025
Senate		Placed on suspense filepassSet your home in California to see
Jul 16, 2025
Senate		Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]passSet your home in California to see
Jul 9, 2025
Senate		Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Environmental Quality]passSet your home in California to see
Jun 4, 2025
House		AB 1156 Wicks Assembly Third ReadingpassSet your home in California to see
May 23, 2025
House		Do pass as amended.passSet your home in California to see
Apr 30, 2025
House		Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]passSet your home in California to see
Apr 23, 2025
House		Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Utilities and Energy]passSet your home in California to see
Apr 23, 2025
House		Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Agriculture]passSet your home in California to see

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