Committee advances narrower bill to allow solar on some Williamson Act lands with community benefits
August 28, 2026 | Senate, Legislative, California
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Assemblymember Wicks introduced AB 11 56 as a narrowed proposal to provide voluntary, locally driven pathways for solar deployment on farmland in critically overdrafted basins. The bill offers two paths: a streamlined exit from Williamson Act or Farmland Security Zone contracts for projects that enter qualifying community benefits agreements, and authority for the secretary of natural resources to waive cancellation fees for qualifying projects in critically overdrafted basins.
Shannon Eddy of the Large-Scale Solar Association, who testified in support, said the bill is "narrowed and significantly tailored to just those projects that reside in groundwater basins that are in a stage of critical overdraft," and emphasized that local governments retain "full authority, full discretion in approving or rejecting projects." Keith Dunn, representing construction unions, and industry groups also supported the measure.
Opponents, including Chelsea Gazzillo of American Farmland Trust and Rebecca Marcus representing climate and agriculture organizations, argued the bill as drafted could put productive farmland at risk because eligibility is tied to SGMA's critically overdrafted basin definitions. Gazzillo warned the approach could make approximately 2,600,000 acres in parts of the San Joaquin Valley eligible to exit Williamson Act contracts and urged negotiation for stronger farmland safeguards.
Senator Laird described the bill as a compromise addressing SGMA impacts, contamination and conservation goals and said she would support the measure; the committee recorded a 5-1 vote to return the bill to the Senate floor.
Why it matters: The bill attempts to balance renewable energy siting, water scarcity and farmland protection by offering voluntary, local pathways and community benefits mitigations for projects in critically overdrafted basins.
What happens next: AB 11 56 was returned to the Senate floor for further consideration after the committee vote.
Shannon Eddy of the Large-Scale Solar Association, who testified in support, said the bill is "narrowed and significantly tailored to just those projects that reside in groundwater basins that are in a stage of critical overdraft," and emphasized that local governments retain "full authority, full discretion in approving or rejecting projects." Keith Dunn, representing construction unions, and industry groups also supported the measure.
Opponents, including Chelsea Gazzillo of American Farmland Trust and Rebecca Marcus representing climate and agriculture organizations, argued the bill as drafted could put productive farmland at risk because eligibility is tied to SGMA's critically overdrafted basin definitions. Gazzillo warned the approach could make approximately 2,600,000 acres in parts of the San Joaquin Valley eligible to exit Williamson Act contracts and urged negotiation for stronger farmland safeguards.
Senator Laird described the bill as a compromise addressing SGMA impacts, contamination and conservation goals and said she would support the measure; the committee recorded a 5-1 vote to return the bill to the Senate floor.
Why it matters: The bill attempts to balance renewable energy siting, water scarcity and farmland protection by offering voluntary, local pathways and community benefits mitigations for projects in critically overdrafted basins.
What happens next: AB 11 56 was returned to the Senate floor for further consideration after the committee vote.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
