Williamson Act contracts: cancellation fees: photovoltaic solar facilities.

CA AB1156 is a bill that modifies regulations regarding solar-use easements in California. It allows for the suspension of certain contracts under the Williamson Act, which typically protects agricultural land, to facilitate solar energy projects. The bill also sets new terms for solar easements and outlines the process for terminating these agreements.

CA AB1156 is a house bill in the California 2025-2026 Regular Session, sponsored by Buffy Wicks (D), currently “Passed” since September 30, 2026.

We track 5,060 California bills this session, 21 of them sponsored by Buffy Wicks.

The key recorded vote (Senate, August 31, 2026) ended 21–14 and passed.

Supporters of CA AB1156 argue that the bill promotes renewable energy development by making it easier to install solar projects on land that may otherwise be restricted. They believe it strikes a balance between protecting agricultural land and encouraging the transition to clean energy, ultimately benefiting the environment and the economy.

Critics of CA AB1156 contend that the bill undermines the protections established by the Williamson Act, potentially paving the way for the loss of valuable agricultural land. They argue that prioritizing solar projects over farming could harm local food production and threaten the livelihoods of farmers.

Source: LegiScan roll call vote data.