Solar-use easements: suspension of Williamson Act contracts: terms of easement: termination.

Assembly Member Wicks' solar easement legislation revises California's framework for converting agricultural land to solar energy production, expanding eligible uses while mandating community benefits. The bill modifies how landowners can transition Williamson Act contracted parcels to solar facilities by converting contracts to easements rather than requiring full rescission.

The legislation redefines solar-use easements to encompass energy storage and additional renewable facilities beyond photovoltaic arrays. It shifts eligibility determinations from cities and counties to individual landowners, requiring the Department of Conservation to consult with groundwater agencies and issue decisions within 120 days. New eligibility criteria include land with insufficient water supplies that limit agricultural production, particularly in high-priority groundwater basins with reduced water deliveries.

Local governments must require solar developers to enter community benefits agreements as a condition of easement approval. These agreements can include job training programs, contributions to agricultural education, water conservation initiatives, and community infrastructure improvements. Developers must conduct public outreach and hold meetings within the jurisdiction to gather input on proposed community benefits.

The bill maintains existing environmental review requirements for solar facilities while exempting the easement agreements themselves from California Environmental Quality Act analysis. It preserves local authority over land use decisions while establishing consistent standards for mitigation measures, which must demonstrate direct connection and proportionality to project impacts. The legislation also streamlines easement termination by allowing mutual consent between parties, while retaining options for nonrenewal or return to Williamson Act contracts.