Agricultural land use: conversion to solar-use easements.

Assembly Member Wicks proposes modifying California's solar-use easement framework by replacing indefinite terms with fixed-duration agreements between local governments and landowners converting agricultural land to solar energy production.

The legislation revises the California Land Conservation Act to require that solar-use easements and their associated land-use covenants operate for a specified term of years rather than in perpetuity. These agreements restrict land use to photovoltaic solar facilities and other renewable energy installations, while allowing incidental agricultural and open-space activities. The changes apply only to easements established after January 1, 2026, maintaining existing indefinite arrangements.

Under the revised framework, cities and counties would enter into time-bound agreements that can self-renew annually, replacing the current system of permanent easements. The Department of Conservation retains its role in determining parcel eligibility, while local governments must adapt their processes to incorporate term limits and renewal provisions. The underlying restrictions on land use remain unchanged - parcels must be dedicated primarily to solar energy production, with limited exceptions for compatible agricultural activities.

The modifications create a structured timeline for reviewing and potentially adjusting these land-use arrangements, while preserving the core mechanism for converting agricultural land to renewable energy production. Local governments and landowners would need to track renewal dates and evaluate easement terms periodically, introducing new administrative requirements for managing these agreements.