California Legislature Shelves Bill Intended to Facilitate Farmland Conversions For Renewable Energy Development

October 2025

California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 36, Number 1

Assembly Bill (AB) 1156 was introduced by Assemblymember Wicks to broaden the definition of solar-use easements under the California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act) and further streamline the process for property owners to convert their Williamson Act or Farmland Security Zone contracts into solar-use easements for renewable energy project development. Intended to further efforts by the state to achieve its goal of 100 percent of electric retail sales served by renewable and zero-carbon energy resources by the end of 2045, AB 1156 was shelved at Assemblymember Wicks’ request on September 13, 2025. While currently inactive, AB 1156 may be revived during a future legislative session.

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